As a result of its decision, Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to provide to AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAPs) during the next two years by supplying its complete line of HIV medications and other select products at a reduced cost.
This extension will help ensure thousands of low-income, underinsured and uninsured people living with HIV/AIDS maintain access to life-saving antiretroviral medications.
“Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to ensuring people living with HIV/AIDS have access to the medicines they need,” said Ron Cooper, senior vice president, Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology. “To reinforce this commitment, we are extending our agreement with the ADAPs to help reach that goal.”
ADAPs are not entitlement programs, meaning patients who meet eligibility criteria are not guaranteed benefits. As a result of this, reduced state and federal appropriations, coupled with growing program demands, have led to program restrictions and waiting lists for medicines. With 20 to 25% of all HIV medications currently purchased through state ADAPs and the number growing, finding long-term solutions to the funding crisis is critical.
Through this extension, Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to provide its entire portfolio of HIV medications at a reduced cost to ADAPs through March 2007. This assistance will provide states the opportunity to access the company’s once-daily therapies used in combination treatment including Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) and Sustiva (efavirenz).