“We applaud any move which will expand access to HIV services. This decision ties into our healthcare ambitions and focus to provide integrated primary healthcare to a greater number of consumers, aimed at increasing access, reducing cost and delivering better health outcomes for more South Africans,” said Dis-Chem executive manager Tanya Ponter.

“HIV and TB place significant burdens on the broader healthcare system, so moves to improve access and availability of first-line antiretrovirals and TB preventive medicine is critical to improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV.

“Primary healthcare is gaining widespread recognition as being the ‘front door’ of the healthcare system and pharmacies are ideally positioned as a fundamental entry point to first-line treatment protocols and the wider healthcare ecosystem.”

TimesLIVE