Have you been wondering how much ARV is from private doctors in Namibia? I’ve heard that the government clinics offer free ARVs but they only have limited stock and you may have to wait for your medication.
A first-line HIV regimen
If you choose to go to a private doctor, then it’s important that you understand what you are paying for. A first-line HIV regimen would cost at least N$150 but if you need a second line ( which is now standard practice due to mutations), then it could cost up to N$2000 per month.
There are cheaper or free options at government clinics – but these are often very crowded and there can be long waits for your medication if they do not have enough in stock. Take what the clinic has available and you may have to wait for your medication while everyone else gets theirs first.
Alternatively, consider buying your own meds from a private doctor where prices are more flexible depending on how many pills one needs each day and how quickly they want them delivered (and whether they prefer generic versions).
Combivir, Stocrin and Efavirenz all work out around the same price.
Combivir is a combination of Zidovudine and Lamivudine. Stocrin comes in two formulations, one containing Tenofovir and Emtricitabine (the other contains only Emtricitabine). Both of these drugs are used to treat HIV infection but they have different mechanisms of action: Combivir involves nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) while Stocrin involves non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Efavirenz is a protease inhibitor
There are cheaper or free options at government clinics, but you will have to take what the clinic has available and you may have to wait for your medication.
If you are in a government clinic, you can get your medicine for free. However, there are some things to consider:
- You may have to wait for your medicine.
- You may have to take what the clinic has available and not what you need or want.
- You may have to go to a different clinic for each prescription that is needed.