Health Secretary Enrique Ona: Enough supply of ARV drugs. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Health (DOH) has assured Filipinos afflicted with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that it has enough supply of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug they need, even if the last of three batches of the medication shipped from abroad has yet to be released by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
In a statement, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the health agency was working on the immediate release of the ARV drugs, which were procured through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), from the BOC.
ARV is a combination of medications given to HIV-positive patients to delay the progress of the infection and the onset of full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Ona said the ARV drugs arrived between Aug. 2 and 14 and was scheduled to be released in three batches after the health agency paid the corresponding duties and taxes. The first batch was released last week while the second was released yesterday.
The third batch is expected to be released also this week, said Ona.
Ona said that as early as last week the drugs had been available to patients under the DOH’s HIV treatment program.
“Enough supplies are available for these patients even as the DOH awaits the release of those drugs now at the BOC,” he said.
Records from the DOH National Epidemiology Center showed that there were 3,090 HIV cases and 309 AIDS cases from January to July this year.
In July alone, the health agency recorded 585 new HIV cases, 30 percent higher compared to the same period last year and so far the highest number of cases reported in a month.–Jocelyn R. Uy