Overview of HIV Infection and its Treatment: Pharmacists Module 3, 2018

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This module will enable the pharmacist to have a good and up-to-date understanding of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in South Africa with special reference to:

• How it is transmitted and how transmission can be prevented
• Key aspects of pre-exposure prophylaxis in persons at risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines published  by the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society
• Requirements and responsibilities of the community pharmacist as it relates to HIV self-testing
• Recent updates made to the adult antiretroviral therapy guidelines in 2017
• Antiretroviral therapy and the latest combinations
• The role of the community pharmacist in the management of HIV

This module describes the latest treatment guidelines for adults and provides advice on how to manage the potential adverse effects of antiretrovirals.

The pharmacist has an important and valuable role to play in educating patients and the public about HIV and in the management of HIV patients as well as actively supporting good adherence to prescribed antiretroviral therapy.