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New Restrictions in ADAP Programs
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This report was distributed yesterday by NASTAD:
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF STATE AND TERRITORIAL AIDS DIRECTORS. NASTAD is a
Washington DC based group that represents the state ADAP programs and the
directors of these programs.
Congress & the Administration did not grant requests from the ADAP Working
Group and others for additional funding to meet the needs and costs of
providing adequate access through ADAP programs. Several large drug companies
have announced they would freeze ADAP prices for HIV drugs in response to
this problem: notably Pfizer (Agouron), GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott, Bristol
Myers. You can help by contacting your state officials, congressional
representatives, and senators, and expressing your concerns and asking them
to do something about this problem.
FY2002 ADAP Funding Watch
Due to insufficient resources in FY2001 and projected deficits in FY2002, 10
ADAPs have already closed enrollment to new clients or limited access to
antiretroviral treatments (ARVs). In addition, a number of jurisdictions
with currently fiscally stable ADAPs (e.g. Florida and New York) report the
potential need to implement ADAP restrictions based on current funding levels
and projected trends in program utilization.
ADAPs with waiting lists, client expenditure caps and/or drug access
restrictions
Alabama
Guam
Idaho
Indiana
Kentucky
Maine (ARV restrictions)
Montana
North Carolina
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas (ARV restrictions)
Wyoming
ADAPs provide life saving HIV treatments to low income, uninsured individuals
living with HIV/AIDS in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Federal
funding for ADAPs in FY2001 and FY2002 did not meet the needs specified by
state and territorial AIDS programs and is expected to lead to wide spread
ADAP access restrictions in FY2002. The Administration's FY2003 proposed
budget includes no increase in federal funding for ADAPs-even to address
annual inflationary costs.
It was also reported that Mississippi and New York may institute restrictions.
The shortfall in ADAP funding raises concerns about how HCV/HIV coinfected
patients who currently receive access to HIV therapy through ADAP will access
HCV therapy.
Jules Levin
NATAP
National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project
NY, NY
1-888-26-NATAP
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