DOH-7 assures arrival of antiretroviral meds

Local

CONCERNS over limited HIV medicine refills in some treatment hubs prompted the Department of Health- Central Visayas (DOH-7) to assure the arrival of additional supplies of antiretroviral (ARV) medicine this July.

DOH-7 is expected to receive 979,200 tablets or 32,640 bottles of Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD), the recommended first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

A DOH-7 representative on Friday, July 17, confirmed the incoming supply, saying the agency “is expected to receive it this month.”

The concern came after reports that some PLHIV clients were receiving fewer ARV supplies from treatment facilities due to limited stocks.

Several concerns from patients were raised after those who previously received three bottles for refills were reportedly given only seven tablets because of the shortage.

ARV, or antiretroviral, refers to medicines used to treat HIV by stopping the virus from multiplying in the body.

Continuous ARV treatment helps people living with HIV maintain their health and reduce the amount of virus in their blood.

DOH central office earlier announced that it had completed the procurement process for around 1.2 million bottles of

TLD to maintain the country’s HIV treatment supply.

The procurement contract for 1,164,879 bottles of TLD was awarded to PhilPharmawealth on March 23, 2026.

The agency said the supply could support an estimated 97,000 PLHIV nationwide.

The first tranche of 600,000 bottles was initially scheduled for delivery in May 2026, but the supplier requested an extension due to the crisis in the Middle East.

PhilPharmawealth later committed to deliver 455,217 bottles by July.

The DOH reported that 455,188 bottles of Lamivudine+Tenofovir+Dolutegravir (TLD) had arrived in the Philippines and were set for distribution after inspection.

The health agency said the shipment underwent checks to ensure it was safe, effective, and compliant with Food and Drug Administration standards before being distributed to treatment facilities.

The remaining shipments from the procurement are expected to arrive between August and September.

TLD is the recommended first-line ART regimen for HIV treatment.

When taken consistently, it helps suppress the virus in the body and allows patients to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load.

Based on DOH data as of December 2025, 100,671 PLHIV in the Philippines were undergoing ARV treatment.

Earlier, nonprofit organization LoveYourself Philippines announced that it would reduce antiretroviral refills to a two-week supply starting last July 2, citing delays in the replenishment of ARV stocks through the DOH’s national supply chain.(MyTVCebu)