ARVS EXPIRE IN UGANDAN GOVERNMENT STORAGE

Ugandan HIV/AIDS activists have expressed outrage after learning that an estimated $500,000 worth of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs recently expired in government stores, according to the United Nations news network.

There are 150,000 to 200,000 Ugandans who need the life-prolonging medication, according to ActionAid International. The organization had questioned a shortage of ARVs after it received reports of stocks running out in a number of distribution centers.

Authorities say the situation has been brought under control. "ARVs have a short shelf-life of 18 to 24 months, so by the time these were put in place, some of the drugs that were meant to [last] for about two months expired," said one official

The expiry of the drugs is the latest incident involving the Ugandan Ministry of Health. In August 2005 the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria temporarily suspended funding due to problems with ministry management.