THE ongoing disruption in Fiji’s medicine supply chain will not impact the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment, says Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu.
He has given an assurance that under Fiji’s recently launched HIV Outbreak Response Plan and National HIV Surge Strategy 2024-2027, there is uninterrupted access to ARVs.
Dr Lalabalavu acknowledged that the ministry was experiencing low stocks of some medicines and consumables, a situation that is expected to persist for the next two to three months.
However, he reassured the public measures were in place to secure life-saving HIV medications.
“It’s an important part of our 90-day response, ensuring that we scale up our preparations, especially for ARVs,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
To address the supply chain issues, the ministry has partnered with a United Nations procurement service, using allocated funds to source ARVs and anti-tuberculosis medications in bulk and at a reduced cost.
This, coupled with Fiji’s national procurement plan, has ensured ARV stocks are currently available.
“Most of the areas in the plan have already been executed, including the preparation for lifesaving ARVs to be in the country.
“We also make sure that we have systems and processes in place that we don’t run out.”
