Patients receiving antiretroviral (ARVs) treatment from KwaZulu-Natal health institutions will not be affected by Adcock Ingram's urgent recall of two batches of Adco-Nevirapine and Adco-Zidovudine, the department said on Tuesday.

"The recall will only affect private institutions who source these drugs from Adcock Ingram...," it said in a statement.

All those receiving ARVs from public hospitals, community health centres and clinics were not affected as they obtained the drugs from another company, Aspen Pharmaceuticals.

"There are no problems that have been reported with drugs from Aspen Pharmaceuticals," the department said, urging patients not to panic and to continue using their medication as prescribed.

They referred enquiries to the institutional pharmacy managers.

The department also called on patients receiving the tuberculosis medications ANTIB 4 and EBSAR 2DS at its health facilities to bring the drugs in for replacement.

"We appeal for calm and warn against those who may want to mislead the public to desist from doing so.

"Relatives and friends of those taking these drugs are urged to encourage people to continue with their treatment as it is safe," the department said.

Sapa