Uganda Experiencing HIV Treatment, Testing Kit Stock Outs, IRIN Reports

“Uganda has run out of most antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), HIV testing kits, drugs to treat opportunistic infections and several crucial diagnostic tools for HIV care, according to a recent Ministry of Health stock status report [.pdf],” IRIN reports. The report, posted on May 27, “listed the status of medical supplies as of May 1” and “reported that central stocks of a number of first- and second-line ARVs, pediatric ARV formulations and HIV test kits were either out or below the minimum stock levels in country’s three government warehouses — National Medical Stores (NMS), Joint Medical Stores (JMS) and Medical Access Uganda Limited (MAUL),” the news service writes. “The ministry noted that a number for of requests had been sent to partners — including [PEPFAR], the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer — to boost stocks,” IRIN notes. “The current shortage is only the latest in a list of supply-chain problems that have caused similar stock-outs of drugs and condoms in the past,” the news service writes, adding, “Activists say continued mismanagement of the distribution chain is harming the country’s HIV response” (6/12).

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