(Jamaica Observer) The Ministry of Health says that it now has an adequate supply Lopinovir/Ritonavir, having received a shipment of the HIV-drug and with a second expected to arrive in Jamaica early next month.
Lopinovir is one of ten drugs available in the public health sector to treat HIV and a shortage had meant that patients were only receiving a week’s supply of the life-saving drug instead of the monthly dosage or none at all.
“If a patient cannot get Lopinovir, they should ask their doctor to prescribe the substitute”, said Dr Kevin Harvey, Director of the National HIV/STI Programme.
Dr Harvey added that only 10 to 15 per cent of patients are prescribed Lopinovir and that the shortage was only restricted to public pharmacies in Kingston.
