New Funding Allows Drugs and Services to be Added to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program on September 1
Albany, August 29 -- State Health Commissioner Barbara A. DeBuono, M.D., announced today that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) will add more medications and services effective Sunday, September 1. New federal funding for ADAPs nationwide and additional State funding make these program enhancements possible.
The expansion includes three new drugs:
- Nevirapine, the first of a new class of anti-retroviral drugs;
- Cidofovir for treatment of CMV retinitis; and
- Liposomol duanorubicin for treatment of AIDS-related cancers.
The expansion will also restore 121 drugs that were previously on the formulary, including:
- Antibiotics for treatment of bacterial infections;
- Analgesics for pain relief;
- Psychotropics for treatment of HIV-related depression and mental health conditions;
- Antidiarrheals; and
- Megestrol Acetate for treatment of wasting syndrome.
ADAP Plus, the ambulatory care program, will provide reimbursement for viral load testing as soon as the Medicaid fee schedule for the test is approved and established. Under ADAP Plus, mental health coverage will be restored from six to 12 visits a year.
"This actions demonstrates the deep commitment of Governor Pataki, our congressional delegation, our Legislature and the Health Department to the 10,000 New Yorkers in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program," Commissioner DeBuono said. "These drugs will help ADAP clients lead longer, healthier lives." Letters are being sent from the Health Department to ADAP clients to inform them of the changes.
The expansion announced today follows the Department's addition of protease (PRO-tee-ace) inhibitors to ADAP on July 1, 1996. To date, 3,800 prescriptions for these medications have been written for ADAP clients.
"With the high price of protease inhibitors and a projected increase in demand for these medications, we will continue to seek additional federal support for ADAP in the years to come," the Commissioner said. "Without a long-term federal strategy to deal with the high cost of new AIDS drugs, it will be difficult to introduce new therapies into the routine care of people living with HIV and AIDS." During this fiscal year and next, about $140 million will be spent by New York on ADAP.
The selection of medications and services to be added to ADAP was made by the Health Department in consultation with the ADAP Advisory Council, a group of clinical experts and people living with HIV who set priorities for medications and services within the new funding levels. Not all drugs and services that were dropped from ADAP in January were able to be restored.
New York's programs to help uninsured and under-insured people with AIDS get access to medical care are the most comprehensive in the nation. The Program provides medications, ambulatory care and home care services for low-income people with HIV or AIDS who are not covered by private insurance and whose income exceeds the limit for Medicaid eligibility. ADAP is funded primarily through federal Ryan White Care Act funds granted to New York State and the HIV Planning Councils of New York City, Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley and Dutchess County regions.
To receive an application or additional information about the HIV Uninsured Care Programs, call toll-free 1-800-542-2437 or write to the Programs at Empire Station, P.O. Box 2052, Albany, N.Y. 12220-2052.
8/29/96-104 OPA
Contact: Claudia Hutton, Director, Public Affairs (518) 474-7354New York State Department of Health Posted 9/24/96
