New Report on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors on Tuesday released the latest ADAP Watch on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, which are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. A synopsis of the report appears below.
- ADAP Watch: The report finds that as of Nov. 15, 340 individuals were on ADAP waiting lists in Alaska, Montana and South Carolina. Four states -- Alabama, Indiana, Oklahoma and South Carolina -- have instituted other cost-containment measures since the beginning of fiscal year 2006, the report says. It also finds that four states and one territory -- Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi and Puerto Rico -- anticipate the need for additional or new cost-containment measures during the current ADAP fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2007, the report finds (ADAP Watch, 12/12). The recent reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act will change the way ADAP funds are distributed, the report says. According to the report, distribution formulas will take into account HIV and AIDS cases, and more funding will be available to ADAPs with "severe need." In addition, the reauthorization requires that a list of core antiretroviral drug classes that should be included on all state ADAP formularies be compiled. "For some ADAPs, this will pose a challenge and force the ADAP to make tough choices on how to incorporate the drugs on their formulary unless adequate funding is provided," according to a NASTAD release (NASTAD release, 12/12).
The report is available online. This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.