A Call to Serve: Patient Advocates Must Step-Up During T2

By: Brandon M. Macsata, CEO, ADAP Advocacy

In December 2024, ADAP Advocacy hosted its final Health Fireside Chat of the year as part of a broader Health Policy Retreat held in collaboration with the Community Access National Network. Despite hopes that the country's better angels would be reflected at the ballot box, both organizations had been preparing for what once seemed impossible: Trump Two (T2). POSITIVELY AWARE captured the sentiments shared by members of several national and state-level HIV advocacy and policy organizations from across the country prior to the Election. But now the rubber meets the road...

ADAP Advocacy CEO Brandon M. Macsata on The Morning Meeting, 12/09/24

At the Health Fireside Chat, political commentator Mark Halperin, editor-in-chief of 2WAY Interactive and host of The Morning Meeting podcast, pointedly dished out some straight talk about how patient advocates need to view the election as a call to serve. During the 2024 presidential election, Halperin scooped that President Joe Biden was dropping out of the presidential race days before the news broke, as well as three weeks prior to the election sounding the alarm that the Harris-Walz campaign was in big trouble in the swing states' suburbs. Agreeing to disagree in a few areas, most attendees in the room understood the merits of the advice being given by a political insider.

In fact, Halperin's message echoed the words of the late Bill Arnold (former President & CEO of the Community Access National Network and former founder and board co-chair of the ADAP Advocacy Association): leave your personal politics at the door! Halperin challenged the patient advocates and other stakeholders in the room to fight for a seat at the preverbal table. Ironically, it sounds awfully similar to The Denver Principles and the "Nothing About Us Without Us" principle!

To that end, ADAP Advocacy is returning some of its targeted advocacy efforts back to the very roots of the organization's founding some seventeen years ago...GRASSROOTS, that is. Back in 2010 during the height of the ADAP Crisis that landed over 1,300 people living with HIV/AIDS in thirteen states on waiting lists under the State AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), including a couple reported deaths, ADAP Advocacy helped to galvanize state grassroots networks to raise awareness and demand action by lawmakers. It is time to re-activate these state grassroots networks to push back against those dark forces seeking to gut the social safety-net, spread misinformation about science and vaccine efficacy, and perpetuate hate and stigma against marginalized communities...many of whom are disproportionately impacted by HIV.

ADAP Advocacy CEO Brandon M. Macsata at Florida town hall in 2010

Patient advocates are encouraged to contact ADAP Advocacy at info@adapadvocacy and indicate which state they're residing in, and how they might help with advocacy efforts. Aside from targeting federal lawmakers with constituent visits to better educate them, there will be plenty of opportunity for patient advocates to influence their state legislatures on many HIV-related issues.

Additionally, ADAP Advocacy leverages patient advocates and other public health stakeholders to serve on numerous patient advisory committees. This is a call to serve!

• ADAP State Drug Formulary Patient Advisory Committee

RE: Drug Formularies

Committee Chair: Rev. Alexander Garbera (Connecticut)

ADAP Advocacy works to improve access to timely, appropriate care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS being served by the State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, including promoting robust drug formularies to best serve the needs of clients. Whenever feasible, ADAP Advocacy strongly supports "open" drug formularies. Approximately 20 seats need to be filled for this committee.

Learn more about the ADAP State Drug Formulary Patient Advisory Committee.

• ADAP Long-Acting Injectables Patient Advisory Committee

RE: Long-Acting Injectables

Committee Chair: Joey Wynn (Florida)

ADAP Advocacy strives to identify best practices on how to improve patient access to long-acting injectable therapies for the treatment of (and prevention of) HIV/AIDS. As general guidelines, they would be designed to help State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), and other relevant payers, remove the barriers to accessing injectable HIV-related therapies, as well as other non-ARV, health-related injectable therapies. Three seats need to be filled for this committee.

Learn more about the ADAP Long-Acting Injectables Patient Advisory Committee.

• Ryan White Grantee 340B Patient Advisory Committee

RE: 340B Drug Pricing Program

Committee Chair: Guy Anthony

ADAP Advocacy ensures the voice of people living with HIV/AIDS shall always be at the table and the center of the discussion, including on how supports and services are financed under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. To that end, reforming the 340B Drug Pricing Program is of paramount concern by returning the program to its original legislative intent: putting the patient first. Two seats need to be filled for this committee.

Learn more about the Ryan White Grantee 340B Patient Advisory Committee.

ADAP Advocacy has long prided itself on using its Values Statements to define its advocacy work. Among these values, that the voice of persons living with HIV/AIDS shall always be at the table and the center of the discussion. Patient advocates must step-up during T2, so join the fight!

Photo Source: shutterstock.com

ADAP Open Drug Formulary Programs Improve Access to Care & Treatment; So why are there so few?

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

Each State AIDS Drug Assistance Program ("ADAP") is unique in that "it decides which medications will be included in its drug formulary, and how those medications will be distributed to eligible consumers."[1] It clearly presents a conundrum between payers and consumers. Ask any payer of health benefits, and controlling costs is probably paramount to them. Ask any consumer of health benefits, and most important is the unrestricted access to all the supports, services and/or therapies that should be afforded to them. Therein is the divide between closed and open drug formulary programs, including ADAP.

(Editor's Note: This blog is not intended to be an endorsement of any product made by any pharmaceutical company but rather acknowledge the unique health needs experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS, as they attempt to access care and treatment that is appropriate, culturally competent, and timely)

Photo Source: COMP Blog

In March 2015, Managed Healthcare Executive published an article, Closed formularies hold the line on costs, which accurately summed up the challenges faced by health plans. Though health plans are quite different from State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, in general, they nonetheless do share an important thing in common. They often employ cost containment strategies in an effort to not only control costs, but also ensure plan sustainability. It provides little comfort, however, for consumers living with chronic health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, who require access to numerous drug therapies.

According to the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors ("NASTAD"), only approximately one in five (1:5) ADAPs employ an open drug formulary program. The Online AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formulary Database (2018 version) reports the following states offer open drug formularies: Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington State. Only Washington State reports no drug exclusions under its open drug formulary program.[2]

To be fair, ADAPs aren't unique in this area. ADAPs mirror private health plans (and many other public health plans) in that they have closed drug formularies. Yet, open drug formulary programs are advantageous to consumers because they provide additional coverage for medications. So why are there so few?

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-87) dictates that "each ADAP must cover at least one drug from each class of HIV antiretroviral medications ("ARVs") on their ADAP formulary. RWHAP funds may only be used to purchase FDA-approved medications."[3] Otherwise, State ADAPs are pretty much left to their own fruition on which ARVs to include on their formularies, as well as non-ARV medications to treat other conditions and medication side effects.

Eddie Hamilton, founder of the Ohio-based ADAP Educational Initiative, summarized his support for open drug formulary programs:

“One of the leading barriers to care is the lack of access to the non-ARV medications for various reasons, such as co-pays or non-covered medications. Open formularies enhance ARV regimen compliance as it enables people living with HIV/AIDS to deal with the various side effects and co-morbidities associated with HIV. While the Ryan White program covers mostly HIV related services, it is counter-intuitive to fix only one medical issue while leaving other potential life threatening medical issues that would be preventable on the table. One may have a undetectable viral load but succumb to a heart attack because of the lack of access to a statin!”

It is disheartening when people living with HIV/AIDS are denied access to numerous non-ARV medications, especially when the medications could treat a litany of other health-related conditions. Some of the conditions commonly identified by consumers are lipodystrophy, diarrhea, hormone therapy, and co-infection with Hepatitis C ("HCV").

For example, HIV-related lipodystrophy remains an important health issue confronted by consumers yet often it is characterized by payers as cosmetic. Research has shown that between 20% and 30% of HIV-positive patients are experiencing excess visceral adipose tissue ("VAT"). For years, there's been a common misconception that this belly fat is just a physical cosmetic issue that is a side effect of earlier HIV treatments — something that must be accepted as a reality of now living longer with HIV-infection. Recent research dispels that myth so that even with newer anti-retro viral regimens this condition continues to exist.

An ADAP Blog posted in late 2016 highlighted the success by Massachusetts in expanding treatment options for people living with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The Treat Lipodystrophy Coalition fought tirelessly for the law to require insurance coverage for treatment of a debilitating and disfiguring side effect of HIV medications. Patients living with HIV-associated lipodystrophy are now demanding the same is done with public payers, such as ADAP and Medicaid.[4]

Photo Source: Treat Lipodystrophy Coalition

Carl Sciortino, executive director for the AIDS Action Committee, and former representative in the Massachusetts Legislature who introduced the aforementioned legislation, then summarized the effort to expand treatment access: "Some of our long-term survivors carrying the physical scars of earlier life-saving treatments have been denied the dignity and medical treatment they are entitled to for far too long. Lipodystrophy affects our veterans, and as a country we have effectively turned our backs on their need to treat their epidemic-inflicted wounds. I'm proud of our step forward in providing insurance coverage in Massachusetts, and I'm grateful for any interest it sparks in providing care to people living with HIV across the country."[5]

Tesamorelin (common brand name: Egrifta) is the only FDA-approved therapy to combat HIV-related lipodystrophy. Yet, as of December 31, 2017, only 11 ADAPs reported that they do include Tesamorelin on their drug formularies, including: Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Washington. Thanks to the ADAP Crisis Task Force, that soon could be changing after a discounted drug pricing agreement for ADAPs was reached with the drug's manufacturer.

One of the most common side effects causing angst for people living with HIV/AIDS is diarrhea. It is a widely held opinion that HIV-related diarrhea is a thing of the past with the advent of the newer ARVs. The "runs" impact long-term survivors quite often, according to a patient survey released in December 2017.[6]

Josh Robbins, Founder of the HIV Scoop, isn't known for being shy, and as such he become a vocal spokesman on how this common HIV-related side effect personally impacted his life. His advocacy on the issue has given hope to others like him. Robbins characterized the struggle as follows:

“Before I found the drug to help normalize my gastro issues related to living with HIV, I was at a crossroads with HIV treatment. Everyone preached the importance of adherence to ARVs and staying in care, but I was exhausted of the process because of diarrhea and me not finding relief from it or support medically. When I saw the information on the drug, I knew I wanted to give it a try. What could I lose as I tried everything else? After starting it, there wasn’t a magic moment that I knew it was working for me—but I did notice that I didn’t dread taking my ARVs anymore and I stopped missing doses because they made me feel bloated and the diarrhea was brutal. All of that slowed down to where I don’t even think about it anymore. Can I give all the credit to this drug? Maybe not, but I can say that I finally feel normal in my stomach, I don’t spend tons of time in the bathroom anymore, and I’m finally adherent to my HIV meds. At least for me, this drug makes my journey living undetectable possible, because it normalized my gastro issues. So, yea, this drug changed my journey living with HIV.”

The medication in reference is Mytesi. Unfortunately, currently only 22 State ADAP drug formulary programs cover Mytesi, and as such people living with HIV/AIDS suffering from diarrhea are forced to rely on less potent over-the-counter therapies. These therapies often provide little or no relief. Once again, thanks to the ADAP Crisis Task Force, that soon could be changing after a discounted drug pricing agreement for ADAPs was reached with the drug's manufacturer.[7]

Evidence suggests that HIV-infections disproportionately impact the transgender communities.[8] In its recent issue brief on transgender health, NASTAD acknowledged the need to adopt a holistic approach to providing health services to this underserved population. The issue brief reads, in part, "...it is imperative that ADAPs ensure that their interventions are informed by a robust understanding of the unique personal, societal, and structural barriers that impede access to care and treatment for transgender people."[9]

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has documented the unique needs set facing the transgender communities in the United States. CDC data suggests there is a need for gender-variant, culturally competent awareness and guidelines designed to better serve this underserved community enrolled in public health programs, as well as those persons eligible, but not enrolled (including ADAP).[10]

The CDC concluded, “Insensitivity to transgender identity can be a barrier for those who are diagnosed with HIV and seek quality treatment and care services. Research shows transgender women with diagnosed HIV infection are less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or achieve viral suppression. Furthermore, few health care providers receive adequate training or are knowledgeable about transgender health issues and their unique needs.”[11]

Furthermore, NASTAD echoed this concern in its issue brief, making a compelling case for open drug formulary programs that are more liberalized to serve transgender consumers: "ADAP formulary composition presents another opportunity to promote trans- inclusive care and treatment. Beyond the provision of ARVs, ADAPs play a critical role in supporting the availability of medications for many co-occurring needs of PLWH, including transgender transition-related medications."[12]

As of December 31, 2015, unfortunately only 16 ADAPs covered one or more FDA-approved transgender transition-related medications on their formulary.[13]

According to Marcus J. Hopkins, Project Director of the Community Access National Network's HIV/HCV Co-Infection Watch, there are 43 State ADAPs offering some form of coverage for HCV treatment. Of those programs, 36 have expanded their HCV coverage to include the regimens that serve as the current Standard of Care (SOC) for Hepatitis C treatment. Eight (8) programs offer only Basic Coverage and 13 programs offer No Coverage. Three (3) territories – American Samoa, Marshall Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands – are not accounted for in this data.

HCV is a common co-infection in people with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 200,000-300,000 people in the United States are co-infected with both HIV and HCV infections. Experts believe that about 25% of Americans with HIV also have HCV; conversely some 10% of people with HCV are thought to also have HIV.

In most states, people living with HIV/AIDS are well served by their ADAP but that doesn't mean consumers should settle on the status quo. According to Jen Laws, an independent policy consultant and an ADAP Advocacy Association board member, expanding the efficacy of the State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs requires both modernization in systems and expansive formularies to meet the health needs of target populations; from heart disease and diabetes to gender confirming hormone replacement therapies, ADAPs can help us close the gaps in care clients face else where and realize the true potential of the programs in working to end HIV.

Laws argued, "Today, we understand comprehensive approaches to chronic health needs result in greater client adherence and positive overall health outcomes, directly impacting efficacy of HIV specific treatment. We know meeting target population health needs is a necessary step in combating the epidemic, especially in an environment where these same populations are unlikely to get their health needs met in traditional markets. In the age of treatment as prevention, ADAPs have a unique opportunity to function at the corner of both prevention and patient care."

Related articles of potential interest:

• Don't Take VAT, sponsored by Theratechnologies
• Keep Your Pants On, sponsored by Napo Pharmaceuticals
• Talking to your Doctor About Symptoms, online survey of patients living with HIV conducted Oct 25-Nov 6, 2017, sponsored by Napo Pharmaceuticals
• TRANSGENDER HEALTH: Improving Access to Care Among Transgender Men & Women Living with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program: Model Policy for Ryan White/ADAPs Serving Transgender Clients, published in April 2017 by the ADAP Advocacy Association
• INFOGRAPHIC: Improving Access to Care Among Transgender Men & Women Living with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, published in April 2017 by the ADAP Advocacy Association
• CROSSROADS: ADAP CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRANSGENDER HEALTH, published in August 2016 by the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors
• HIV/HCV Co-Infection Watch – March 2018, published in March 2018 by the Community Access National Network

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[1] Health Resources & Services Administration (2017, October). Part B: AIDS Drug Assistance Program. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-b-aids-drug-assistance-program.
[2] National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (2018, February 1); 2018 ADAP Formulary Database; National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD). Retrieved from https://www.nastad.org/adap-formulary-database.
[3] Health Resources & Services Administration (2017, October). Part B: AIDS Drug Assistance Program. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-b-aids-drug-assistance-program.
[4] Macsata, Brandon M. (2016, October 28). ADAP Blog. Why HIV Medical Treatment Guidelines Matter. ADAP Advocacy Association. Retrieved from http://adapadvocacyassociation.blogspot.com/2016/10/why-hiv-medical-treatment-guidelines.html.
[5] Macsata, Brandon M. (2016, October 28). ADAP Blog. Why HIV Medical Treatment Guidelines Matter. ADAP Advocacy Association. Retrieved from http://adapadvocacyassociation.blogspot.com/2016/10/why-hiv-medical-treatment-guidelines.html.
[6] Yahoo Finance (2017, December 12). HIV With Diarrhea Often Suffer in Silence. Business Wire. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/survey-finds-people-living-hiv-140000800.html.
[7] Yahoo Finance (2017, April 10). Jaguar Subsidiary Napo Pharmaceuticals Signs Agreement with the ADAP Crisis Task Force for Mytesi. Business Wire. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jaguar-subsidiary-napo-pharmaceuticals-signs-130000636.html.
[8] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016, April 18). HIV Among Transgender People. Retrieved from http://www.thebody.com/content/63509/hiv-among-transgender-people.html?ap=1200.
[9] Pund, Britten, Et al. (2016, August). CROSSROADS: ADAP CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRANSGENDER HEALTH. National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors. Retrieved from https://www.nastad.org/sites/default/files/Crossroads-Trans-Health.pdf.
[10] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016, April 18). HIV Among Transgender People. Retrieved from http://www.thebody.com/content/63509/hiv-among-transgender-people.html?ap=1200.
[11] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016, April 18). HIV Among Transgender People. Retrieved from http://www.thebody.com/content/63509/hiv-among-transgender-people.html?ap=1200.
[12] Pund, Britten, Et al. (2016, August). CROSSROADS: ADAP CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRANSGENDER HEALTH. National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors. Retrieved from https://www.nastad.org/sites/default/files/Crossroads-Trans-Health.pdf.
[13] Pund, Britten, Et al. (2016, August). CROSSROADS: ADAP CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRANSGENDER HEALTH. National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors. Retrieved from https://www.nastad.org/sites/default/files/Crossroads-Trans-Health.pdf.

NASTAD Releases Updated 2017 ADAP Formulary Database

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

Allowing people living with HIV/AIDS ("PLWHAs") to make informed decisions about their own healthcare has been a cornerstone of the ADAP Advocacy Association's mission since the organization launched in 2007. All too often, local service providers and advocacy organizations take a paternal approach to PLWHAs, evidenced by the complaints expressed directly by the people themselves. One organization should be commended for their efforts to put important treatment-related information directly at the fingertips of PLWHAs, specifically as it relates to drug formularies under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program ("ADAP").

Photo Source: lookfordiagnosis.com

The National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors ("NASTAD") announced late last year that it had updated its Online AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Formulary Database (2017 version). According to NASTAD, its database provides "an online, searchable, publicly available resource detailing state-by-state ADAP coverage of medications both individually and by drug class including HIV antiretroviral ("ARV") treatments, A1 Opportunistic Infections ("A1 OI") medications, treatments for hepatitis B and C, mental health and substance use treatment medications, and various vaccines and laboratory tests."[1]

The database offers the following:[2]

• General Information
• Antiretroviral medications
• ARV Generic Equivalents
• “A 1” opportunistic infection medications
• Hepatitis B treatments
• Hepatitis C treatments
• Substance use treatment medications
• Mental health treatment medications
• Other medication categories
• Vaccines
• HIV & STD diagnostics
• Hepatitis C diagnostics

NASTAD's 2017 Online AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formulary Database is available online at https://www.nastad.org/adap-formulary-database.

Making such a valuable resource available directly to PLWHAs (and others) cannot be under-estimated in its importance. Access to timely, appropriate care and treatment is essential to achieving improved medication adherence, greater peace-of-mind, and better health for people living with any chronic health condition. Yet we know one of the most stressful things for PLWHAs are their medications. More efforts like NASTAD's database should be implemented across the treatment cascade.

In fact, that is the very reason why we launched our ADAP Directory. It offers PLWHAs (and others) a one-stop online resource center for the latest ADAP information for better decision-making for HIV/AIDS care; improved quality of HIV/AIDS information; and assistance for advocates and medical staff. It also includes an ADAP Eligibility Calculator. The ADAP Directory is available online at http://adap.directory.

Yes, that was a shameless plug for our flagship program. Now back to NASTAD's efforts...

NASTAD's database is very comprehensive. Some key findings from the updated 2017 ADAP Formulary Database include:[3]

• 12 ADAPs have “open formularies” in which all FDA-approved medications are included, excluding designated exceptions
• 39 ADAPs cover one or more hepatitis B treatment medication
• 40 ADAPs cover one or more hepatitis C ("HCV") treatment medication
• 34 ADAPs cover one or more of the curative direct acting antiviral ("DAA") HCV treatment medications
• 46 ADAPs cover one or more of the most frequently prescribed mental health treatment medications
• 27 ADAPs cover one or more substance use treatment medication

Any questions about NASTAD's database should be directed to Amanda Boyles at abowes@NASTAD.org. Kudos, NASTAD! Kudos!

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[1] Penner, Murray (2017, November 29); NASTAD Releases Updated 2017 ADAP Formulary Database; National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD). 
[2] National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (2017, November 29); 2017 ADAP Formulary Database; National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD); page 4. 
[3] Penner, Murray (2017, November 29); NASTAD Releases Updated 2017 ADAP Formulary Database; National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD). 

Kaiser Family Foundation Publishes Fact Sheet on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs)

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

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) recently published an excellent Fact Sheet on the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), which are authorized under the Ryan White CARE Act. ADAP provides medications for the treatment of HIV disease for people who are uninsured, or under-insured. The ADAP Advocacy Association commends KFF for making this important educational tool available.

Download the KFF Fact Sheet.

The KFF Fact Sheet is broad, in that it provides relevant background information about ADAP, as well as budgetary summaries, drug formularies, and program expenditure breakdowns. It also highlights information on eligibility requirements, client demographical data, cost containment measures, drug purchasing models, and pertinent information related to Medicare Part D. It serves as a useful tool, especially for advocates trying to educate lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels.

Did you know that ADAPs are not entitlement program?[1]

Did you know that State funding only accounted for 6% of the overall ADAP budget?[2]

Did you know that the average amount spent on drug purchases and co-payments was $8,663?[3]

Did you know that 257,396 people were enrolled in ADAPs in CY 2015, ranging from 140 in Wyoming to more than 35,000 in California?[4]

Did you know that not all State ADAPs received rebates from drug companies?[5]

These interesting facts, along with others can be viewed online at http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

The National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) released its 2017 National ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report earlier this year, which tracked state-by-state programmatic changes, emerging trends, and latest available data on the number of clients served, expenditures on prescription drugs, among other things. The Fact Sheet on the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) published by KFF certainly complements the comprehensive analysis done by NASTAD on the program, annually.

Of particular interest to the ADAP Advocacy Association — as well as many ADAP stakeholders — is the overview on the drug formularies provided in the KFF Fact Sheet. These drug formularies are the foundation by which states mold their strategies to promote access to care and treatment. According to the KFF Fact Sheet, some key points of interest include:[6]

• Six (6) states had an open formulary
• All states offered all of the drugs identified in the “recommended regimens” in the nation’s HIV treatment guidelines.
• Of the 45 ARVs currently available (including multi-class combination products and generics), ADAP formularies covered between a low of 37 drugs in Arkansas to all 45 in 27 states.
• In addition to ARVs, many ADAPs provide access to drugs to treat opportunistic infections and HIV co-infection (e.g. treatment for hepatitis).

The importance of state drug formularies cannot be understated!

Dating back to the inception of this organization ten years ago, we have routinely sounded a cautionary alarm that the ADAP waiting lists (which were officially eliminated several years ago) are only the “tip-of-the-iceberg” because other cost containment measures restrict access to care and treatment. Among them, restrictive drug formularies. By limiting the treatment regiments available to people living with HIV/AIDS, states are indeed restricting access to care and treatment. These restrictions can also impact treating other chronic conditions associated with the disease, such as lipodystrophy or diarrhea.

Concerns over restricted state drug formularies was charactered as follows by Eddie Hamilton, Founder of the ADAP Educational Initiative: "The increased cost or additional effort of restricted formularies are a barrier for ADAP clients and may cause them to abandon the prescription which their doctor has written for a medically necessary reason. Many of the excluded medications are to combat side effects and co-morbidities caused by the primary antiretroviral regimens. These restrictions will continue to compromise their health and will lead to costly complications such as hospitalizations, lower medication adherence and overall higher healthcare costs."

To be fair, State ADAPs are often forced to face the harsh reality of prioritizing limited resources, especially since not all of them receive state matching funds or pharmaceutical rebate dollars. Also to NASTAD's credit, they make available another great resource, specific to ADAP drug formularies. Download the 2016 ADAP Formulary Database.

To learn more about the KFF Fact Sheet on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, or other HIV-specific information and resources offered by the Kaiser Family Foundation, visit http://www.kff.org/graphics/hivaids/.
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[1] Kaiser Family Foundation (2017, August 16); AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.
[2] Kaiser Family Foundation (2017, August 16); AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.
[3] Kaiser Family Foundation (2017, August 16); AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.
[4] Kaiser Family Foundation (2017, August 16); AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.
[5] Kaiser Family Foundation (2017, August 16); AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.
[6] Kaiser Family Foundation (2017, August 16); AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/aids-drug-assistance-programs/.