Magnifying How ADAP Provides Treatment For People Living With HIV/AIDS

By: Brandon M. Macsata, CEO, ADAP Advocacy Association

On September 23rd and 24th, "Magnifying How ADAP Provides Treatment For People Living With HIV/AIDS" took center stage at the ADAP Advocacy Association's 9th Annual ADAP Conference in Washington, DC.  The conference convened numerous ADAP stakeholder groups — including patients, service providers, health departments, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and advocacy organizations — to discuss the current and emerging public policy issues confronting the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), as well as exchange ideas and develop strategies for effective patient self-advocacy.

The conference kicked off with some exciting news about the organization's flagship program; the ADAP Directory. The ADAP Directory — which was launched in 2014 — takes an innovative approach to linking people living with HIV-infection to the information, resources, medical care, and treatment options. Now, it offers an interactive feature called the ADAP Eligibility Calculator powered by PillPack.

The opening keynote was delivered by Dr. Mike Magee, President of Positive Medicine, who is a longtime friend of the ADAP Advocacy Association (Editor's Note: It was 2007, when Dr. Magee delivered the opening keynote at the organization's first annual conference). His remarks, "Blending Positive Leadership and Advocacy: A Case for Advanced Professionalism," drew heavily from a book published by his son, Michael,  some years earlier, entitled “Emancipating Pragmatism: emerson, jazz, and experimental writing.” Dr. Magee's keynote conveyed several key points. Among them are positive leadership, and islands of common stewardship. To read Dr. Magee's recap of his experience in his blog post at Health Commentary, CLICK HERE.

Follow Dr. Mike Magee on Twitter!

The conference offered up seven panel discussions, each playing an important role in magnifying how ADAP provides treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. The conference leveraged an Oprah-style format designed to promote a “conversation” rather than a traditional presentation-type session; therefore, the panelists were encouraged to speak from the heart rather than using scripted remarks/presentations.

The conference panels included:

• HIV & Aging: Building a Focus on Healthy Aging for Older Adults Living With HIV/AIDS
• Affordable Care Act: AIDS Drug Assistance Programs & Qualified Health Plans
• Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Cost Sharing & Barriers to Healthcare
• Linkages to Care: Social Workers & HIV Community Resources
• Linkages to Care: 340B Program & HIV Continuum of Care
• HIV & Marginalized Communities: Delivering Culturally Competent Care
• Co-Infection: Integrating HCV Services into HIV Prevention/Care Settings

The conference attendees were provided an abundance of supporting materials, which can be downloaded online here. By the time the conference had concluded there were numerous take-aways that will be orchestrated by the ADAP Advocacy Association over the coming weeks and months.

Thank you to all who supported the conference, presented at it, and most importantly, attended it!

Annual National Monitoring Report on HIV/HCV Co-Infection

By: Marcus J. Hopkins, Project Director, HIV/HCV Co-Infection Watch, Community Access National Network (CANN)

The ADAP Advocacy Association is sponsoring an important community roundtable on September 22nd in Washington, DC, hosted by the Community Access National Network (CANN). The pressing issue at hand: HIV/HCV Co-Infection. The First Annual National Monitoring Report on HIV/HCV Co-Infection will present findings on the state of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection in the United States, including a summary of the HIV/HCV Co-Infection Watch, as well as the HealthHIV/HealthHCV recently published report, State of HCV Care National Survey.

The event will be held at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Headquarters, located at 950 F St., NW Suite 300, Washington, DC 20004. It will be held from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (EST). Gilead, Merck and Walgreens are also sponsoring this event, along with PhRMA.

While both HIV and HCV are significant health issues on their own, co-infection poses a serious threat to persons living with HIV. Treating HCV in conjunction with HIV can be difficult, as many of the most popular HIV combination therapies (such as Stribild) may have serious drug interactions with some of the components of newer Direct Acting Agents (DAAs) currently available to cure HCV.

Recent spikes in HCV infections related to Injection Drug Use (IDU) have led physicians in affected areas to screen also for HIV. Perhaps the most well-publicized case involved an outbreak in Scott County, Indiana, was caught due to a sharp increase in HCV infections amongst IDUs. The outbreak also led the state’s conservative legislature to approve emergency Harm Reduction measures – namely Syringe Exchanges – in counties designated as having public health emergencies. The sixth such emergency Syringe Exchange will be opening in Clark County, this fall. Clark County, which neighbors Scott County, has seen a 63% increase in fatal drug overdoses since 2013, with 49 confirmed fatal overdoses, and another 20 pending since the beginning of the year (Maher, 2016).

The HIV/HCVCo-Infection Watch released its inaugural Report in January 2015, originally focusing only on HCV drug coverage in AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and Medicaid programs. Now, nearing the end of its second year in publication, the Watch has expanded to include coverage information for the Veteran’s Affairs (VA), Harm Reduction measures (including Syringe Exchanges) to prevent the spread of infection, and regional trends, which focus on issues of drug coverage, co-infection, and legislative efforts to combat the spread of HCV. Each Report also contains the latest news in HCV science, opioid/heroin addiction, pharmaceutical updates, and HIV/HCV-related news.

 HealthHIV’s report on the State of Hepatitis C Care National Survey was released in February 2016, and presents the findings gathered during the survey process. The inaugural survey, conducted in 2015 in conjunction with Medscape, LLC., collected data on both providers and the patient populations they serve, and made policy recommendations and observations related to increasing access to HCV care both outside and within the HIV care continuum.

 While the National Monitoring Report on HIV/HCV Co-Infection event is free to attend, seating is limited. Advanced registration is required, which can be done at the following web address: https://www.123signup.com/event?id=njrck.

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Disclaimer: Guest blogs do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADAP Advocacy Association, but rather they provide a neutral platform whereby the author serves to promote open, honest discussion about public health-related issues and updates.

Californication and the Battle Over Drug Pricing

By: Brandon M. Macsata, CEO, ADAP Advocacy Association

POLITICO reported this week that California's controversial Prop 61, entitled the "California Drug Price Relief Act," is likely to get the green light from voters at the ballot box this November, according to a recent poll. Nearly three quarters (73%) of those polled indicated that they support Prop 61, compared to only 13% who are opposed to it -- with approximately 14% of the survey's respondents remain undecided. The ballot initiative appears to have the strongest support among registered Democrats (77%), but also 70% of registered Republicans and 68% of unaffiliated voters.[1]

Photo Source: Moyers & Company

According to Californians for Lower Drug Prices, which is supporting the ballot initiative, (verbatim language from the Yes on Prop 61, Californians for Lower Drug Prices, with major funding by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and California Nurses Association PAC) "The Drug Price Relief Act would require the state of California to negotiate with drug companies for drug prices that are no more than is paid for the same drugs by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  Unlike Medicare, the VA negotiates for drug prices on behalf of the nearly 22 million veterans it serves, and pays on average 20-24 percent less for medications than other government agencies, and up to 40 percent less than Medicare Part D.  The Drug Price Relief Act empowers the state, as the healthcare buyer for millions of Californians, to negotiate the same or an even better deal for taxpayers, saving the state billions."[2]

The poll was conducted by Tulchin Research, among 800 likely voters conducted from July 21-24, 2016. According to a Tulchin Research memorandum obtained by the ADAP Advocacy Association:

"The survey finds that nearly three-quarters of voters would vote yes in support of Proposition 61 (73% yes with leaners, 66% without leaners) when presented the measure’s title and summary, including four out of 10 (41%) who say they would definitely vote yes, while just 13% of voters would oppose the measure (12% without leaners) and 14 percent are currently undecided."[3]

Prop 61 has been endorsed by a long list of organizations -- including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) – California Chapter. To view endorsements, go to http://www.yeson61.com/endorsements/.

But not everyone is behind the ballot initiative. Aside from groups expected to oppose such a measure -- such as the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) -- it is being opposed by some other heavy hitters. Among them; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the California NAACP, and the California Medical Association. To view opponents to Prop 61, go to http://www.noprop61.com/who.

Interestingly enough, some national and state HIV/AIDS organizations are opposing the ballot initiative; and other organizations -- such as Project Inform and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation -- are staying on the sidelines. The chief complaint against it is...it won't actually save the state any money. In fact, "highly uncertain" is how the California Legislative Analyst’s Office characterized the impact of the ballot initiative, should it pass in November.[4]

The state's analysis found, "Even if the initiative were to result in cost savings to the state, it is unclear whether or not lower prices would be realized for consumers. The initiative does not include any provisions that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for consumers who are increasingly having difficulty accessing treatment, both because employers and insurers are passing on more of the cost to employees and consumers, and because more restrictions to access are being placed on higher-cost drugs."[5]

Summarized Eddie Hamilton, with the ADAP Educational Initiative, "The current convulsed, inconsistent system across the country compounded with the widespread conflicts of interest is hurting access more than any state Proposition could ever do. That is what had created the breeding ground for that ballot initiative."

And for now, voters in California are moving in the direction of the "Yes" forces during this contentious battle in the Golden State! Stay tuned...

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[1] POLITICO, "New poll shows strong support for landmark drug pricing ballot measure,"  August 2, 2016; available online at http://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2016/08/new-ca-poll-shows-strong-support-for-landmark-drug-pricing-ballot-measure-104415#ixzz4IqofRI5q. 
[2] Yes on Prop 61, Californians for Lower Drug Prices, "Californians for Lower Drug Prices Launches TV Ad Campaign," June 7, 2016; available online at http://www.aidshealth.org/#/archives/27268.
[3] Tulchin Research, "California Statewide Survey Shows Strong Support for Proposition 61, the Ballot Measure to Lower Prices on Prescription Drugs," July 28, 2016.
[4] Hemmelgarn, Seth, The Bay Area Reporter, "Prop 61 targets drug prices," August 25, 2016; available online at http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=71839. 
[45 Hemmelgarn, Seth, The Bay Area Reporter, "Prop 61 targets drug prices," August 25, 2016; available online at http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=71839.