ADAP Advocacy has taken a significant step by submitting public comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), urging for a carve-out exemption for HIV antiretroviral therapies under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This initiative, established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, aims to negotiate drug prices, but ADAP Advocacy warns of the dire consequences for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) if HIV medications are included.
Brandon M. Macsata, CEO of ADAP Advocacy, emphasized the critical nature of uninterrupted access to HIV medications. 'CMS is playing with fire if it targets HIV medications as part of its drug price negotiations, potentially putting the lives of PLWHA at risk,' Macsata stated. He highlighted the 'treatment as prevention' approach as a cornerstone in the fight against HIV, which not only saves lives but also reduces healthcare costs by preventing new infections and expensive health complications.
The advocacy group's concerns stem from the potential for patients to lose access to their medications, leading to treatment discontinuation. Such scenarios could result in severe health outcomes, including death from opportunistic infections or the development of drug-resistant HIV strains. ADAP Advocacy's call to action underscores the importance of safeguarding the progress made in HIV treatment and prevention, urging CMS to consider the unique needs of PLWHA in its drug pricing strategies.
For further details on ADAP Advocacy's stance, their public comments are available, offering a comprehensive look at the requested HIV carve-out and its implications for the Negotiation Program.
