Discovery Health
Discrimination against people with HIV

Two months ago I find out from my local pharmacy that my chronic ARV's all of a sudden have a 20% dispensing fee!? I phone Discovery, a call centre agent appologises profusely and informs me that someone was suppose to phone and tell me that all ARV's will now be dispensed via a courier to my home?! I travel constantly for work and thus a courier service to my home won't work, neither am I willing to have my nosy neighbours receive a package in my absence.

Option nr.2 apparently is that I collect my medication at a Dis-Chem pharmacy?! I live in a small town and the closest Dis-Chem is 110km from here. Lividly angry I inform the case manager to sort out the transfer of scripts to the Dis-Chem closest to me. I receive a telephone call later confirming that it was done.
On Saturday I grudgingly set out to go and collect my much needed ARV's... only to drive 220km back and forth to Dis-Chem and find out that they have absolutely no record of my prescription!!!

This is discrimination in forcing people with HIV to make use of a ineffective dispensing system but other chronic patients can still get their medication at their local pharmacy!

My next stop is the press!

Company: Discovery Health
Country: South Africa
City: Call Centre

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