The association of patients with HIV was approached by several people with the problem of obtaining two drugs that are part of the therapy. Montefarm Pharmacies of Montenegro, which procure medicines for HIV patients, told "Vijesta" that one of them is no longer produced, and that there were no bids for the other at the last tender.
"'Montefarm' cannot influence production problems, manufacturers' decisions to stop the placement of a certain drug, or infectious disease specialists' decisions on which therapy to apply, and purchases are made in accordance with the Law on Public Procurement, i.e. they do not import drugs directly from manufacturers," they said. are "News" from state pharmacies.
Executive Director of the Montenegrin Foundation for HIV and Viral Hepatitis Boris Vuksanovic he said that there are 318 people in Montenegro who have been diagnosed with the virus, of which 298 are receiving treatment.
"It is necessary that patients have a clear answer at all times, especially in these situations when there is little choice of therapeutic options and when there is a possibility that the condition of the infection will worsen," said Vuksanović to "Vijesta".
Noting that antiretroviral therapy is taken for life and must not be interrupted, Vuksanović said that despite the failed tender, a solution must be found for patients and that state institutions should enable them to obtain therapy outside of Montenegro and refund funds so that it is not interrupted.
When it comes to the drug "stocrin", "Montefarm" said that during negotiations at the beginning of December in the Ministry of Health, the Commission for Negotiations presented a proposal to remove it from the list of drugs of the Health Insurance Fund.
"The representatives of the MSD manufacturer at the meeting agreed with the proposal, bearing in mind the fact that they have stopped its production, and that it will no longer be available on a global level," Montefarma said, adding that infectious disease experts were also familiar with it. that follow the treatment of HIV-positive patients and that they have included appropriate therapeutic substitutions.
There were no bids for "prezista" in the last tender from the supplier from whom they received the medicine until now.
"Given that the drug is in circulation according to the INN and is not registered under the name 'prezista' on our market, the supplier currently does not have precise information about its availability", said Montefarma.
The Foundation states that there is a lack of therapy for some patients, and that the infectious disease specialists of the Clinical Center of Montenegro made efforts to make it easier for them, and that a new drug "isentres" was introduced at the beginning of the year. From the Foundation, in the case of this medicine, however, they have a problem with the expiration date, which expires this month, and they fear that it could affect the deterioration of the condition of some patients.
"Since there is no notification, our patient also has no therapy that he has to take for life and regularly every day at a certain time. In the event that such patients are left without therapy, an increase in viral copies in the patient's blood can very easily occur, the health condition deteriorates, and there is a possibility that this patient will transmit HIV infection," warns the letter sent by the Foundation last week. referred to the Ministry of Health, the Fund and "Montefarma".
In the letter, which "Vijesti" had access to, it is added that although it is said that people with HIV are treated for free and that therapy is available to them, based on the experience of the patients, "we would not say that this is so".
"We believe that someone is playing with the health of their citizens, especially with this type of disease, and we strive to influence the reduction of HIV transmission in Montenegro, but with this kind of treatment, we doubt that we have the same goal," the letter added.
Vuksanović said that the Ministry has no understanding for HIV patients, citing as an example that since December, one patient has not received an answer for the council's opinion. The Ministry did not respond to "Vijesta" questions about the case.
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