Pandemic hinders access to HIV/AIDS therapies: Global shortage of medicines could lead to rise in AIDS deaths
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* Sophie Wazlowski

![Figure1](http://www.thenationshealth.org/http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/nathealth/50/7/8.1/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure1](http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/50/7/8.1/F1)

Photo courtesy Foremniakowski, iStockphoto

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically curtailed the global fight to treat cases of HIV/AIDS, according to UNAIDS.

The disease has led to disruptions in HIV treatment services and inequalities in access to antiretroviral therapies, factors that have hindered progress toward the 2020 global targets of eradicating HIV/AIDS.

“It’s quite clear to us now that we will not reach any of those targets” set for this year, Chris Fontaine, MS, senior adviser of policy analysis and reporting at UNAIDS, told *The Nation’s Health* in July.

A July UNAIDS report, “Seizing the Moment: Tackling Entrenched Inequalities to End Epidemics,” estimates that a six-month disruption in HIV treatment caused by the pandemic could result in 500,000 additional AIDS deaths in sub-Saharan Africa over the course of the year.

Though there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy significantly slows the virus’ progress, prevents secondary infections and complications, and prolongs people’s lives. Data released in July from the World Health Organization shows that 38 million people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2019. Over 60% of them were treated with antiretroviral therapy.

But access to the therapy is threatened during the pandemic by overworked health care systems, population lockdowns and logistical issues involving drug manufacturers, according to WHO. A recent WHO survey determined that 73 countries are at risk of running out of supplies, while 24 countries reported having supplies for only three months or less.

Once treatment has begun, stopping antiretroviral therapy can have dire health consequences for patients.

“It’s not a one-time immunization,” Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told *The Nation’s Health.* “It’s daily oral therapy for life.”

In addition, when a person stops therapy, lingering remnants of the drug in the body can interact with the virus, creating microbial resistance to antiretroviral therapy, Beyrer said.

Although the WHO survey predicts decreased access to antiretroviral drugs, Meg Doherty, MD, MPH, PhD, coordinator of treatment and care in WHO’s Department of HIV/AIDS, said that could change if proper steps are followed.

“It’s important to note that this is dynamic,” Doherty told *The Nation’s Health.* “It’s not a fixed situation, but more an indication of a potential risk. We need to take action. We need to set up structures to ensure that we don’t go into the worst case scenario.”

Health care systems need a strong response to both COVID-19 and the HIV epidemics, she said.

“The same vulnerabilities that have challenged us with the HIV epidemic for decades are also playing a role as we try to respond to COVID-19,” Doherty said.

“I think it’s a reminder to all of us that, one, we need strong health systems that are capable of responding to crises like this and that, two, those health systems will best provide the services to all who need them within a larger societal framework, where people’s rights are respected and where people can afford quality health care.”

For more information on the report, visit [www.unaids.org](http://www.unaids.org).

*   Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association