Empty Shelves, Come Back Tomorrow - ARV Stock Outs Undermine Efforts to Fight HIV
Médecins sans Frontières - "Despite considerable investments in supply chain reforms, wide-spread medicines stockouts negatively constrain patients’ ability to have access to their medication. Limited availability of antiretroviral (ARVs) caused by dysfunctional supply chains impedes patient initiation and adherence and poses a major barrier to win the global fight against HIV.
Secured access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is critical for the realisation of the ’90- 90-90’ objectives, to initiate 90% of diagnosed patients and obtain viral suppression in 90% of those on ART. Scale-up is critical as studies have proven the benefits of starting ART as early as possible, leading to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending universal treatment for all HIV positive patients."