WHO warns pandemic is leading to HIV medication shortages

BOSTON — The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning that the coronavirus pandemic is leading to shortages of the medications needed to treat HIV.

The WHO released findings from a new survey that found 73 countries say they are at risk of running out of antiretroviral (AVR) medicines and 24 countries said they already have supply shortages.

“Access to HIV medicines has been significantly curtailed,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

The WHO said failure to deliver supplies on time and a shut-down of land and air transportation have been part of the problem.

Recommendations from the WHO call for countries to increase the amount of time for each prescription for HIV medications to help make sure people have the supply they need on hand.

Ghebreyesus called for unity from all countries.

His words came more than a month after President Trump announced the U.S. is cutting ties with the organization.

“National unity and global solidarity are important more than ever before to defeat a common enemy,” Ghebreyesus said.

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