ADAP Advocacy Urges HIV Medication Carve-Out in Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

ADAP Advocacy has taken a stand against the inclusion of HIV antiretroviral therapies in the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, citing significant risks to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The organization's public comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasize the critical need for a carve-out to protect these medications from being subject to price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act (2022).

Brandon M. Macsata, CEO of ADAP Advocacy, warned of the dire consequences of including HIV medications in the Negotiation Program. He pointed out that any disruption in access to these drugs could lead to treatment discontinuation, increased risk of opportunistic infections, and the development of drug-resistant HIV strains. Macsata stressed the importance of maintaining the 'treatment as prevention' approach, which has been pivotal in controlling the HIV epidemic and reducing healthcare costs.

The public comments submitted by ADAP Advocacy can be found here, detailing their concerns and the rationale behind the requested HIV carve-out.