In July 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a fixed dose combination of Tenofovir–Lamivudine–Dolutegravir (TLD) to treat HIV/AIDS as it is more effective and has fewer side effects, which results in fewer patients dropping out of treatment. In response, over the last year, USAID has provided extensive support to the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) to advocate for TLD to be covered by SHI. This included documenting evidence of TLD’s efficacy; conducting a cost effectiveness and budget impact analysis; preparing a comprehensive dossier for the Ministry of Health’s (MOH’s) approval; soliciting public comments; and developing policy documents. On November 26, MOH issued Circular 20/2020-TT-BYT, adding TLD to the SHI-covered drug list. The Circular will take effect on January 15, 2021.

So What? This circular is a significant milestone in the lengthy process to make TLD widely available to people living with HIV in Vietnam and will take the country one step closer to its target of eliminating HIV transmission by 2030.