Nevirapine

Cheryllyn Dudley MP (ACDP)

Monday 5 August 2002
Cheryllyn Dudley MP for the African Christian Democratic Party and member of the Health Portfolio Committee, echoed concerns regarding the fate of the Aids drug Nevirapine with the Medicines Control Council reviewing its approval due to “serious concerns” about it’s effectiveness and toxicity.

“It is difficult not to be suspicious of the Councils actions with regard to Nevirapine, as they have consistently worked hand-in-glove with government on this issue, determined to refute the efficacy and safety of the drug in spite of all evidence to the contrary. They seem as adamant as government to find a reason to stop HIV/Aids infected mothers accessing the drug, which offers their babies an opportunity not to have to be condemned to death by their mothers circumstances.”

Cheryllyn said “ Government’s weak excuses around toxicity and breastfeeding hold no weight, since firstly the necessary dosage is a once off negligible amount, that is, one teaspoon for the mother before birth and half a teaspoon for the baby after birth, and reports indicate that HIV transmission through breastfeeding is less than six percent, which means that out of every 100 babies who are breastfed only six would be in danger of possible infection”.

Over a year ago (March 2001), in a parliamentary Health Committee meeting, Dr Helen Rees of the Medicines Control Council said that the reason Nevirapine was being withheld was because babies may be re-infected in the future or die of common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoeal diseases. She said that for these reasons packaging must still be worked on and that until such time the Medicines Control Council was unable to register Nevirapine and it may not be dispensed. At the time Mrs Dudley said, “While it is important to work on decreasing risks, there is no sense in this argument. Why withhold a lifesaving medicine in case a child dies in the future?” The other argument of the Medicines Control Council was that the child might develop a resistance to Nevirapine. Cheryllyn has again said, “the unfortunate fact is that the child is likely to be dead if it does not receive Nevirapine and future resistance would be a non-issue. HIV+ Mothers should at least be given the option”.

In March 2001, when trying to contact the Medicines Control Council for information regarding the Nevirapine issue Cheryllyn said, “I found myself having to first discuss the issue with the Health Ministers assistant as my calls to the MCC were consistently getting through to the Ministers office. This incident comes to mind as I read the statement by the Ministers spokesperson that, “the Health Minister had nothing to do with the registration or deregistration of any medicines or drugs including Nevirapine. I wonder!”

“The governments and the MCC’s handling of the Nevirapine issue is curious to say the least but outrageous is probably a more apt expression” said Mrs Dudley. The ACDP appeals to the Health Department and the MCC to stop playing with the lives of the children of South Africa, as it is cruel and unacceptable.



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For more information please contact Cheryllyn Dudley at 082 890 6520