California Drug Assistance Program Adds New Medications

CaliforniaUs AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which pays
for AIDS drugs for uninsured persons with low or moderate
income, has traveled a difficult road over the last several
years, as the state tried to cut it back while the community
demanded its expansion. A recent infusion of $3.4 million
from the federal Ryan White CARE Act has allowed this little-
known program to double the number of medications it pays
for.

The following 27 treatments for AIDS-related conditions are
now included: acyclovir*, amphotericin B*, atovaquone*,
azithromycin*, AZT, clarithromycin*, clindamycin,
clofazimine*, clotrimazole, dapsone, ddC*, ddI, ethambutol*,
5-fluorouracil*, fluconazole, foscarnet*, ganciclovir,
ketoconazole, nystatin, paromomycin*, pentamidine (aerosol),
pentamidine (intravenous)*, pyrimethamine, rifabutin*,
sulfadiazine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

The 13 medicines marked with an asterisk were added as a
result of testimony at a December 1993 public CARE Act
hearing by representatives of the Golden Gate, Los Angeles
and Santa Barbara chapters of ACT UP. The ADAP program
originally included only two drugs, AZT and aerosol
pentamidine, and has been gradually extended over the last
two years as a result of ACT UPUs efforts.

CaliforniaUs program still has a long way to go. A similar
New York state program covers 60 drugs for AIDS or
opportunistic infections, including intravenous immune
globulin. In addition, the California program has not been
publicized, and has only 3500 enrollees at this time, despite
its great value for those without insurance coverage for
prescription drugs who are working or otherwise ineligible
for Medicaid (Medi-Cal). (Substantial copayments are required
for new enrollees making more than $28,000 per year.)

The existence of ADAP has been virtually unadvertised in the
past. Californians who want information about applying for
the program should contact the AIDS programs at their county
health departments or public hospitals, or an AIDS service
organization which is knowledgeable about benefits programs.


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