ADAP: more deficient than imagined

[Miss Philicia]

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Only 4 ADAPs Provide Guidelines-Recommended Cardio Meds

Only four AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) are providing medications to help manage four major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors common among people living with HIV: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels and smoking. This is the finding of a survey published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) and reported by aidsmap.

While many ADAPs do provide access to many, if not all, of the available antiretrovirals (ARVs) for people living with HIV who qualify for assistance—about one third of HIV-positive people in the United States—coverage for medications needed to prevent or treat health complications related to, or exacerbated by, HIV infection is limited.

According to the JGIM analysis, only four state ADAPs—Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania—provided prescription drug coverage consistent with guidelines for all four cardiovascular risk factors. However, 68 percent of states and territories provided therapy that was at least partially consistent with guidance for one risk factor. No coverage was provided by 25 percent of ADAPs.

“In our systematic survey of ADAP formularies, we identified only four states that provided prescription drug coverage consistent with clinical practice guidelines for all four modifiable cardiovascular risk factors,” write the investigators.

According to aidsmap, the study authors believe that financial pressures and cost cutting could lead to some ADAPs restricting their access to non-HIV medications.

The researchers conclude that policymakers should address the “root causes” for the variations in coverage and “provide a comprehensive ADAP formulary informed by clinical guidelines.”

[leatherman]

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According to aidsmap, the study authors believe that financial pressures and cost cutting could lead to some ADAPs restricting their access to non-HIV medications.

could lead?? how about "have already led to ADAPs restricting access". Cost containment measures put into practice, along with and before starting a waiting list, have already cut non-HIV meds and changed FPL eligibility reequirments.

in a way this is old news, as these cost containment measures have been going on since before the waiting lists were re-opened over a yr or so ago. The good take-away news is that at least 75% of states are still trying to help out with HIV-related issue medications and at least 4 states are holding the line providing adequate coverage for all the meds.

of course, with more and more slashes in states' budgets, ADAP is always going to be a loser. (Until what changes, I'm not certain; but I hope it's NOT a rising death toll).