Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - August 29, 2006
In a statement on behalf of the association, Sama chairperson Dr Kgosi Letlape said any claims of therapeutic effectiveness made without clinical trials and approval by the Medicines Control Council are illegal.
"I implore the minister to refrain from breaking the laws of the country," he said. "In terms of the laws of this country, anything considered therapeutic should be registered for that purpose, and people have to submit proof that it is therapeutic.
"And, until that is done, you cannot go on to public fora and claim that it is therapeutic."
Tshabalala-Msimang has been dubbed "Dr Beetroot" because of her advocacy of a beetroot, garlic and lemon diet for people with Aids. She has also spoken favourably of African traditional medicines in the fight against the disease.
Over recent weeks, there have been repeated calls on President Thabo Mbeki to sack her, both for her views and for what Aids activists say is her lack of action on a comprehensive national treatment plan.
Letlape said there is no current scientifically proven alternative to anti-retrovirals in the treatment of Aids patients with weakened immune systems. "Anti-retroviral medication is the only treatment that is scientifically proven to prolong the lives of people with Aids."
He also said it is regrettable that Tshabalala-Msimang continues to misrepresent the facts about the role of nutrition in the management of Aids.
"The medical profession fully acknowledges the known fact that optimal nutrition is important and beneficial to everybody.
"However, the minister's emphasis of the exaggerated value of nutrition as a preferential means to manage and treat Aids is confusing a vulnerable public."
Responding to the Sama statement, the minister's spokesperson Sibani Mngadi said Sama is misrepresenting government policy on HIV and Aids.
The minister in her public pronouncements was talking about the government's comprehensive HIV/Aids plan, which seeks to prolong the period between HIV infection and development of Aids by encouraging healthy lifestyles, including good nutrition.
The plan also promotes research into and development of African traditional medicines.
It makes anti-retrovirals available for those with a CD4 count of 200 and below. Anti-retrovirals were now provided free of charge in about 231 public health facilities.
"This is the totality of the plan that every public representative that is speaking on HIV and Aids, including Minister Tshabalala-Msimang, has to cover to reflect the comprehensive nature of the government response to HIV and Aids in the country," he said.
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