California: AIDS Drug Assistance Program, New Drugs Available April 1

As we reported in the last two issues of AIDS TREATMENT NEWS,
California recently added 13 new medications to its AIDS Drug
Assistance Program (ADAP), as a result of new Federal funding
through the Ryan White CARE Act. A total of 27 drugs (see
below) are now approved for this program for uninsured
persons with low or moderate income. But we recently learned
that the 13 new drugs will not be available at least until
April 1, when the Federal funding is received.

There could be an additional wait in some counties, due to
paperwork. This happened the last time there was major
expansion of the program, when some county health-department
officials did not move quickly to make the newly added drugs
available.

Steven Roger, Chief of Early Intervention Services for the
California state Office of AIDS, said he is confident that
the new drugs will be available after April 1 without delay.
We asked what clients should do after that date if they
encounter local officials either unaware of or unable to
provide the newly added medicines. "Call me," he replied. His
number is 916/327-6784.

Activists are concerned that the program has been
inadequately publicized, and Roger says he is considering an
informational mailing to all California physicians -- if he
can find the time and resources. "There's just so much we can
do," he commented. "We've got a really small staff."

Readers outside of California should note that similar
programs are available in most states, but the lists of
available drugs and other details vary considerably. Your
local health department or AIDS service organization may be
able to provide information for your area.

The following drugs are now included in the California AIDS
Drug Assistance Program: acyclovir*, amphotericin B*,
atovaquone*, azithromycin*, AZT, clarithromycin*,
clindamycin, clofazimine*, clotrimazole, dapsone, ddC*, ddI,
ethambutol*, flucytosine*, fluconazole, foscarnet*,
ganciclovir, ketoconazole, nystatin, paromomycin*,
pentamidine (aerosol), pentamidine (intravenous)*,
pyrimethamine, rifabutin*, sulfadiazine, trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole. Those marked with the asterisk should be
available after April 1.

Note: In California and probably most other states it is
usually necessary to go to the county pharmacy or other
special locations to receive ADAP drugs. Some states provide
the drugs by mail or through ordinary pharmacies, apparently
reducing administrative costs as well as hardship for some
patients.