Tender to supply ARVs awarded to companies

The national Department of Health has announced the names of various pharmaceutical companies that have won the three year tender to supply antiretroviral (ARVs) to millions of patients on treatment in South Africa.

The tender for the 2015 - 2017, worth over R10 billion was awarded to Sonke Pharmaceuticals R3 billion, Mylan Pharmaceuticals R2.8 billion, Aspen Pharmacare R2.5 billion and Cipla Medpro R2 billion.

There are over 2.7 million people on ARV treatment in South Africa with about 1.5 million receiving the Fixed Dose Combination.

The Fixed Dose Combination was announced by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in April 2013 at Phedisong Clinic, Ga-Rankuwa north of Pretoria.

The department aims to have about 4.6 million people on treatment by the end of 2016.