South African Government Defends ARVs

Amid the ongoing controversy over a vitamin supplier's claims that such products can be used to effectively treat HIV/AIDS, a senior South African government source has clarified the official position. Despite previous ambiguous statements on the subject from the country's health minister, Deputy President Jacob Zuma is reported to have restated the government's view that vitamin supplements are not a substitute for conventional antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.

Zuma's statement that "nutrition is not a substitute for appropriate treatment" has been welcomed by HIV/AIDS activist groups, and is likely to restore hopes that the government will support its US$500mn ARV treatment programme effectively.

Meanwhile, lobby group the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and vitamin supplier the Dr. Rath Foundation are in court, following the latter's reported claims that the TAC is a "front for the pharmaceuticals industry." Dr. Rath has also recently been censured for distributing possibly misleading promotional material to legislators.