A study by Thibaut Davy-Mendez, PhD, MSPH, and Asher Schranz, MD, MPH, assistant professors of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, looked at access to medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) for people with HIV and recognized how the harms associated with OUD have intensified in recent years, particularly for people who inject drugs. The researchers also identified gaps in coverage by state AIDs drug assistance programs.
“Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder for Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States: Gaps in Coverage by State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs” demonstrated that life-saving medications are inaccessible for people with HIV relying on the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) in 40% of jurisdictions.
Published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, the study team emphasized that funding/policies should address gaps by increasing access through ADAP and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), partnerships between RWHAP and substance use programs, and other state/federal initiatives.