States cut back efforts to provide drugs for HIV, AIDS

The average annual cost of ART ( antiretroviral therapy) - - per patient in Brazil was $4,459 - - compared to over $10,000 in most of the developed world—totaling only $242 million per annum. 

By Shefali S. Kulkarni,

The result: more than 8,300 people — a record number — are on waiting lists in 13 states to get antiretrovirals and other drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS or the side effects, mental health conditions or opportunistic infections. And that number probably understates the need, say advocates, who note that many states have simply eliminated waiting lists or reduced eligibility. READ MORE: