People living with HIV afraid ARV stocks could run out by July

People living with HIV/AIDS have urged the government to address concerns over a potential depletion of antiretroviral (ARV) drug stocks in the coming months.

Nelson Otwoma, chairperson of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (Nephak), stated that while current ARV supplies are sufficient until July, future stocks are uncertain. “Kenya has enough ARVs for now, but the supply could run out by July if not replenished,” Otwoma said. “The government must address this issue.”

Otwoma explained that although ARVs are available, some second-line medications, such as Abacavir, have been out of stock since last year. He attributed the shortage to the phase-out of Atazanavir/Ritonavir (ATV/r), as communicated by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (Nascop). “We met with Nascop, and they clarified that this regimen is being phased out. Patients on Atazanavir are advised to switch to Dolutegravir after clinical assessments,” Otwoma explained.

The first-line ARVs, used for people new to treatment, are designed to be safe, effective, and easy to use. According to the latest HIV estimates, 1,378,457 Kenyans were living with HIV in 2024, with 1,336,681 on treatment, an increase from 1.2 million in 2022.

Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) CEO Dr Ejersa Waqo addressed these concerns, reassuring the public that the available stock would last for 10 months and that replenishment would occur before any shortages arise. “There is no shortage of ARVs, only a regimen change,” Waqo clarified. He also noted that the transition from protease inhibitors to Dolutegravir was being implemented, and that health facilities still have ATV/r stocks.

Otwoma highlighted the importance of ongoing advances in ARV treatment, stating that ARVs are constantly evolving to become safer and more effective. He also noted that Kenya is working to optimise HIV treatment for both children and adults, with Nascop focusing on ensuring that all eligible people living with HIV are switched to Dolutegravir.

Additionally, Waqo mentioned that the tendering process for condoms valued at Sh74 million is ongoing, with an additional Sh92 million to be received from the Global Fund.

Despite efforts to eliminate new HIV infections and AIDS by 2030, Kenya is still reporting cases of advanced HIV.

Otwoma explained that advanced HIV disease, which often leads to death, occurs when individuals delay or interrupt their treatment. Factors, such as stigma, lack of food, and difficult living conditions can contribute to non-compliance with treatment.

Otwoma emphasised that to prevent advanced HIV disease, people living with HIV must begin ARVs immediately and continue lifelong treatment.

However, he expressed concern that Kenya’s reliance on donor support is problematic, particularly with fears that funding could decrease under the presidency of Donald Trump.

To address the funding gap, Otwoma called for the Kenyan government to take greater responsibility for financing HIV treatment.

He suggested that the government could allocate additional funds through a supplementary budget when Parliament resumes.

Currently, about 10 per cent of HIV financing comes from the Kenyan government, mainly for counterpart funding to secure Global Fund allocations and salaries for healthcare workers. However, Otwoma argued that this is insufficient. “HIV financing is not just for ARVs. The government needs to invest more in funding doctors, nurses, and clinicians,” he said.