The group was responding to what it said were widespread reports over the past days and weeks from various State Clinics‚ in certain provinces‚ that patients have been unable to access supplies of Tenofovir (TDF)‚ a key ARV‚ used primarily in first line HIV treatment.
"Due to the negative consequences on both patients and the sustainability of South Africa's Public ARV programme‚ Aspen as the contracted supplier for 70% of the TDF volume to the State‚ takes these reports extremely seriously‚" the group said.
In these reports‚ it said‚ there had been some suggestions that contracted suppliers had been unable to supply TDF timeously‚ or in the required quantities. To this end‚ it added‚ Aspen was unable to comment on other contracted suppliers of TDF. It did however wish "in the clearest terms"‚ to confirm its own supply position as follows:
"On this basis‚ Aspen continues to view supply security and the maintenance of the integrity of the South African Public ARV programme as a national imperative.
"Aspen also views timeous ARV delivery at the required quantities as non-negotiable.
"To this end‚ Aspen will continue its excellent track record of meeting its ARV supply commitments and where possible to step in and commit its manufacturing capacity where other suppliers are unable to supply a part or all of their supply commitments‚" Aspen said.
In the current tender‚ which commenced on 1 January 2011‚ the group said it had stepped in and supplied three other ARV medicines in addition to TDF‚ where other suppliers had experienced supply constraints.
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