The South African Pharmacy Council has welcomed the dismissal by the Supreme Court of Appeal of an application by medical doctors to set aside the Pharmacist-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (PIMART).
PIMART allows pharmacists to administer first-line treatment to HIV/AIDS patients or, in complex cases, refer patients to clinicians or specialists for the management of their conditions.
Last week, the SCA upheld a 2023 ruling by the High Court in Pretoria, which dismissed the Independent Practitioners Association Foundation's application.
The regulator held a virtual media briefing on Monday.
SAPC President Mogologolo Phasha described the ruling as a victory for patients.
"The ruling confirms what has been our long-held view that PIMART is a necessary and competently designed intervention programme to support South Africa's fight against HIV and Aids.
"PIMART increases access to much-needed HIV prevention and treatment care, with the immediate benefit of improved quality of life and increased life expectancy for more persons living with HIV and Aids."
The body said that, together with other stakeholders and the Department of Health, it will work quickly to ensure that PIMART-trained pharmacists join other primary healthcare practitioners in providing primary care regarding HIV and Aids.
"This includes the provision of first-line antiretroviral treatment, as well as HIV testing and prevention services.
"While we are beyond disappointed that over the period that PIMART has been litigated against, the country's potential to treat untested, untreated and hard-to-reach populations has been sorely restrained," Mogologolo added.
Globally, South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV, sitting around 5,9 million, as well as the most extensive HIV treatment programme.
Apart from hospitals and clinics, pharmacies are deemed to be convenient and accessible centres to help prevent and treat HIV.
However, the pharmacy council recommended that permits only be issued to pharmacists who had completed the training.