The pharmaceutical industry, in support of government, plays a key role in broadening access to ARTs in South Africa and while the increased percentage of those living with HIV stems from new infections, it can be viewed as a reflection of the industry’s efforts to broaden access to affordable, generic treatments.
The development of a successfully expanded antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme that allows people with HIV to live significantly longer has led to a greater percentage of HIV-infected South Africans remaining in society, according to the 2014 Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey.