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HIV & Adcock Ingram’s Anti-retroviral Portfolio
The South African constitution recognises the right of access to healthcare and Adcock Ingram embraces this challenge every day, particularly when it comes to adding value to the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS.
HIV and AIDS do not discriminate. It knows no boundaries in terms of colour, creed, age, sex, language or religion. It knows no financial status and it doesn’t belong to any social standing. HIV and AIDS are faceless, yet it is killing some of the people we love.
As a company, Adcock Ingram plays an important role in the fight against HIV and AIDS through the manufacturing of HIV anti-retroviral and the supply of HIV test kits.
Life is a rainbow of cycles and events, vibrant with colour. Adcock Ingram is one company in the kaleidoscope, playing its role in helping people to have a brighter future. We offer our information, knowledge, support and products to add value to your life and help you realize your hopes and dreams.
Testing for HIV / AIDS
Testing for HIV / AIDS is a vital step in avoiding the spread of the disease. There are clinics that are known as voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) clinics. These clinics have trained medical professionals who will conduct a pre-test counselling and a post-test counselling process.
The South African government has embarked on a huge scale testing campaign. The campaign is known as the HCT (HIV Counselling and Testing campaign). The campaign offers all patients the opportunity to a routine HIV test, with the option to refuse it. Until now, only pregnant women and people showing HIV symptoms have been offered HIV tests.
Prevention - To Stay Negative
If a person tests negative then preventative methods need to be adopted in order to stay negative.
Prevention can be achieved through:
- Protected sex - the correct use of a condom
- By being in a sexually faithful relationship and not having multiple partners
- Abstaining from casual sex
Treatment – If HIV Positive
Although there is no cure for AIDS, an individual who is diagnosed with HIV can live a well balanced life. Research and development has provided medicines that prevent opportunistic illness and extends an individual's life span. HIV and AIDS are treated holistically and the individual can live a normal life. "HIV can be viewed and treated like a chronic disease" (AFA, 2005).
Once HIV starts attacking the immune system, a person's defence system becomes weaker and struggles to fight off infections, medication is then required. This can be determined by two tests known as a CD4 test and a viral load test.
The CD4 count determines the health of a person's immune system and a viral load measures the amount of virus in the blood. When the CD4 count is low and viral load high, medication is required in order to help the weakening immune system.
Anti-retroviral Therapy
Medication which is used in the treatment of HIV in order to slow down the progression of the disease. These medications are referred to as "anti-retrovirals" (ARVs). When taken correctly ARVs can reduce the viral load in the blood.
Anti-retroviral therapy is known to have the benefits as outlined by the Aid for Aids information booklet (AFA, 2005: Patient information booklet):
- The medicines will increase the length of your life
- The medicines will improve the quality of your life
- The medicines will reduce the chance of you getting nasty infections because of the weakened immune system
- The medication will boost the CD4 count
- The medication will reduce your viral load
Starting on anti-retrovirals is a lifelong decision. In order for the medication to be effective it is important that you take your medication correctly. The medication must be taken every day as prescribed. If the prescribed treatment is not adhered to, resistance to the therapy emerges and the drugs become ineffective in treating HIV. A person needs to be mentally prepared to start the lifelong process of anti-retroviral therapy.
HIV treatment also includes treatment to prevent pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB).
Anti-retroviral therapy can also be used to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV as secondary infections.
Anti-retrovirals are also used as prophylaxes in rape victims and in medical professionals when a needle stick injury occurs.
Key Player in Manufacture & Supply of Anti-retroviral Medicines
Adcock Ingram’s ARV Research and Development site is one of few World Health Organisation (WHO) accredited sites globally and is also approved by the Medicines Control Council (MCC) of South Africa. The Adcock Ingram generic ARVs have all been developed in-house by a team of senior researchers. Adcock Ingram currently markets and sells a range of ARV’s in South Africa and neighbouring African countries under the proprietary name of Adcock Ingram. A range of further products are in the pipeline, which will comprise of all first-line and most second-line modalities.
Adcock Ingram’s ARV portfolio adds value to life for the South African and African HIV and AIDS population. 'It is important to Government to have local manufacturing capacity. Africa needs to be self-sufficient to ensure sustainability and continuity of supply of ARVs. Our products are well priced, and we will participate in public sector tenders as well as aim at the private health care market.' (Dr Jonathan Louw, Adcock Ingram MD: SAMJ, April 2007).
Conclusion
HIV and AIDS, although not curable, can be treated. The first step is to know your status.
If HIV negative, one must ensure that all care is taken to remain negative. If HIV positive, contact your medical doctor who will assist you in living a long, well balanced life.
HIV and AIDS is a reality. Do not become a statistic.
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