The country is currently experiencing an inadequate availability of fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines for the intensive phase treatme...
The country is currently experiencing an inadequate
availability of fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines for the intensive phase
treatment of tuberculosis (first two months).
The name of the FDC tablet is
Rifampicin/Isoniazid/Pyrazinamide/ Ethambutol (FDC-RHZE).Medicines for the
treatment of tuberculosis (TB) areavailable in several forms, single
formulation (each medicine on its own) and fixed dose combination tablets
(several medications in one tablet). Fixed dose combinations (FDC) make it
easier for clients to take as they take a single tablet instead of many tablets
(up to 4).
All TB medicines are imported. The main reason for the low availability status of FDC-RHZE
has been delays in delivery of the commodity from our regularinternational
supplier, the Global Drug Facility (GDF). Measures have been initiated by the
GDF to fulfill our delayed order and a shipment is expected to arrive in the
country on the 26th of August 2018 in partial fulfillment of that order.
As a means to mitigate against the impact of the
constrained availability of FDC-RHZE and to ensure continuous access to
treatment for patients the Directorate of Pharmacy Services (DPS) has
coordinated actively the re-distribution of the FDC-RHZE from overstocked
facilities and from facilities without any patients on treatment to facilities
which are understocked and have patients on treatment. As an additional measure
guidance has been provided to all health facilities to combine single dose
formulation medicines to constitute the 4 Drug RHZE combination for the
intensive phase of treatment which unfortunately means the patients will have
an increased pill burden.
The Ministry has received some bridging relief supplies
from one of local partners MSFand this stock was quickly dispatched to health
facilities on 16 August 2018. We expect significant deliveries of the commodity
into the country before the end of August 2018. The Ministry has allocated an
additionalUS$500 000 from the Health Levy towards building an additional buffer
supply of anti-TB medicines. With these measures and successful deliveries our
stocks will revert to the desired levels.
MIINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE, PUBLIC RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT [email protected]
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