The ARVs that had been approved by the government of South Africa five months earlier first began reaching hospitals in April 2004. Some AIDS activists considered this timing suspicious, as it was two weeks before the national elections were to take place that year.

When was ARV introduced in South Africa?

South Africa introduced free ARVs in the public sector in April 2004 after a lengthy battle between activists and former President Thabo Mbeki and Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who questioned the link between HIV and AIDS, and ARVs effectiveness.

Who supplies ARVs to South Africa?

Mylan Mylan is the number one provider of anti-retroviral medicines in the developing world with a focus on Africa. Mylan supplies ARV drugs to more than 100 countries around the world.

Do foreigners get ARVs in South Africa?

JOHANNESBURG: (PlusNews) – A study finding that foreigners are about half as likely to fail antiretroviral (ARV) treatment as South African citizens attending the same Johannesburg clinic has challenged widely held assumptions about migrants ability to adhere to HIV/AIDS drug regimens.

What is the difference between art and ARV?

HIV drugs are called antiretrovirals (ARVs) because HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus. ART generally includes three active drugs but a few new options only use two drugs. Some pills contain more than one drug and some pills contain a complete combination (of 2, 3 or 4 drugs).