South Africa tackles Aids drugs shortages

South Africa is releasing cash to deal with reports of antiretroviral Aids drugs shortages.

The country’s health authorities released a statement which said it was acting in response to media reports of the situation in Free State in the country.

National department of health deputy director-general Dr Yogan Pillay said: "The Minister of Health Barbara Hogan has directed that we engage urgently with the province to support them to respond to this challenge."

Officials would be dispatched to the area to help solve perceived problems to do with budgetary constraints.

A total of R9.5 million (£623,000) would be released and channelled through non-government organisations working in the area to people who had started taking courses of antiretroviral drugs.

The news comes following internationally-published research which shows taking breaks in antiretroviral medication can have serious consequences for people with HIV/Aids.

Medics investigating HIV/Aids drugs have also recommended starting the programme earlier.

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