South Africa: Some Pharmacists Can Now Apply for Permits to Provide HIV Prevention Pills Without a Doctor's Script
[spotlight] Ten months after an enabling court judgment, some pharmacists in South Africa can finally start applying for permits that allows them to dispense HIV prevention pills without a script from a doctor.
South Africa has recently allowed some pharmacists to apply for permits to provide HIV prevention pills, known as HIV prevention medicines, without a doctor's script. This change came into effect ten months after a court decision enabled the program, called PIMART (Pharmacy-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment).
Specially trained pharmacists can now begin the application process for permits, which will allow them to dispense antiretroviral medicines for HIV prevention, as well as HIV testing services. The permits are valid for 24 months and only pharmacists who have completed the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society's (SAHCS) PIMART training course can apply. Currently, nearly 800 pharmacists have completed the course.
The Department of Health processes permit applications within 90 days, and the SAPC takes between 72 working hours and 14 days to record the permits. The updated PIMART training course, which pharmacists must complete to gain full-scope permits, has not been available since it was paused in 2021. However, once the updated course is accredited and launched, pharmacists who complete it will be able to provide first-line antiretroviral treatment to people with uncomplicated HIV, in addition to PEP and PrEP services.
The SAHCS anticipates the accreditation process will be completed by the end of 2026, allowing pharmacists to provide the full range of PIMART services.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
