Health department assures HIV medicine supply is safe after court sets aside two tender awards
Here is what the ruling means for patients.
The Department of Health has reassured the public that a High Court ruling overturning two awards in the national antiretroviral tender will not cause a shortage of medicines. The department stated it is collaborating with provinces, depots, and suppliers to maintain the uninterrupted supply of antiretroviral medicines. Patients can continue collecting their treatments as usual, and the department promises to keep the public informed about any changes that may affect them.
The court ruling on October 20, 2026, set aside the awards for two items in the tender, covering the first-line regimen of tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD). The Department acknowledged the judgment and expressed respect for the role of courts in ensuring fair, transparent, and legally compliant public procurement. The department remains committed to procuring medicines that provide value for money, strengthen public confidence, and ensure the availability of quality-assured antiretroviral medicines for patients relying on the public health system.
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