VDH expands eligibility for AIDS Drug Assistance Program

The Virginia Department of Health AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is taking the final steps toward elimination of the ADAP waitlist.

By Sept. 30, 2012, all of the people currently on the waitlist will be enrolled in and receiving their HIV treatment medications from ADAP.

“Thanks to the hard work and commitment of medical providers and their staffs, community partners and advocates, local health departments, elected officials, ADAP staff, and our client community, Virginia ADAP has been able to provide life-saving medications in the face of extreme challenges,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Looking ahead, VDH is confident that new ADAP clients will be enrolled directly into the program without delay.”

In November 2010, Virginia ADAP experienced a first-ever funding shortfall and was not able to meet medication demands for all clients. ADAP had experienced unprecedented growth due to factors like unemployment and loss of insurance, expanded HIV testing efforts, new HIV treatment guidelines, new medications and improved outreach efforts.

In response, Virginia ADAP collaborated with community partners, healthcare providers and stakeholders to best meet the medication needs of persons living with HIV across the state. ADAP staff worked with pharmaceutical companies to facilitate wait-listed clients’ access to medications through pharmaceutical assistance programs. ADAP has increased its ability to serve its current clients and to accommodate future program growth. Virginia ADAP recently received special recognition from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors for the program’s novel approach to ensure medication access when ADAP demand exceeded available resources.

“Continued collaboration between public health and partners in both the public and private sectors is essential to effectively and creatively overcome challenges and support the health of the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Remley.

ADAP clients and their providers can contact Virginia’s Medication Access Line at 1-855-362-658 to obtain additional information and to enroll in ADAP.  The VDH website also provides information about ADAP enrollment changes and instructions on how to enroll.  Go to http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ADAP.