Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and the ADAP Crisis Task Force (ACTF) announced an enhanced agreement to support the efforts of AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) to provide antiretroviral medicines to people living with HIV and AIDS. Building on an agreement signed in March of 2010, this announcement marks a multi-year enhancement to assist ADAPs in meeting the challenges of increasing patient case loads and strained government funding.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has worked with the ACTF since its inception in 2002 to help ensure access to HIV medications, such as REYATAZ (atazanavir) and SUSTIVA (efavirenz).
“AIDS Drug Assistance Programs are a critical safety net to ensure people living with HIV/AIDS who have no other resources can continue to receive the HIV treatments they need,” said Dwayne Haught, spokesperson for the ADAP Crisis Task Force. “We commend Bristol-Myers Squibb for responding to the unprecedented need faced by state ADAPs to provide access to HIV medicines and enhance our March agreement by providing additional support. Our long working relationship with Bristol-Myers Squibb made this agreement possible.”
“Ensuring access to treatment for HIV and AIDS requires the commitment and participation of government, industry and the community,” said Lynda Dee of AIDS Action Baltimore and member of the Fair Pricing Coalition. “The Fair Pricing Coalition is pleased that Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to be a committed partner in meeting the needs of the HIV community.”
“Bristol-Myers Squibb has a longstanding commitment to HIV and AIDS,” said Raymond Sacchetti, senior vice president, U.S. Virology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We are proud to support the ADAP Crisis Task Force and applaud their ongoing efforts in working with state and federal officials to secure the funding needed to appropriately meet this challenging public health need.”
In addition to enhancing the agreement with ACTF, Bristol-Myers Squibb offers people living with HIV/AIDS multiple ways to obtain medicine at reduced or no cost to the patient through the Bristol-Myers Squibb “Access Virology” program. Working directly with patients in need of assistance, the Access Virology program evaluates a person’s eligibility for multiple prescription assistance programs that are offered
Date: August 11, 2010
Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
