Is the US AIDS drug assistance program cost-effective? AIDS Behav 2013 Jan;17(1):1-4
Date
10/12/2012Pubmed ID
23054037Pubmed Central ID
PMC4103006DOI
10.1007/s10461-012-0321-zScopus ID
2-s2.0-84872687832 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 10 CitationsAbstract
Each year, the US AIDS drug assistance program (ADAP) provides access to prescription drugs-including antiretrovirals-to more than 110,000 persons living with HIV (PLWH) who lack adequate medical insurance. PLWH on effective antiretroviral therapy live longer lives, with enhanced quality of life, and are less likely to transmit HIV to others. There are thus significant benefits associated with the ADAP program. But there also are substantial costs. A mathematical model was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of the US ADAP program. Findings indicate that by providing antiretrovirals to underinsured persons, the ADAP program prevented 3,191 secondary infections and saved 24,922 quality-adjusted life years in 2008. The net cost per quality-adjusted life year saved was $11,955, which suggests that the ADAP program is cost-effective by conventional standards.
Author List
Pinkerton SD, Kibicho J, Galletly CLAuthor
Carol L. Galletly JD, PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAnti-HIV Agents
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Male
Medical Assistance
Models, Theoretical
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
United States
