Alabama may get funds to reduce ADAP waiting list

Last week President Bush announced that $20 million would be distributed to states whose AIDS Drug Assistance Programs have waiting lists. The new money could help clear Alabama's list of those waiting for anti-HIV drugs. Alabama ADAP officials said the state has 1,229 people enrolled in the program; 353 are on the waiting list. State AIDS director Jane Cheeks said ADAP costs about $10,500 per person annually, which means Alabama needs about $3.5 million to clear its waiting list. Program officials said they were still waiting for official documentation to guarantee the state gets all the funds necessary to clear the list. "If we can get an unexpected infusion of federal dollars we could use to place all of those people on drugs, then that is wonderful," said Charles Woernle, assistant state health officer for disease control and prevention. Woernle said most people on the waiting list had been getting free medication from pharmaceutical companies under "compassionate use" programs, but "that's tedious and complicated. It's more efficient if you have a direct pipeline to get folks the drugs that they need." (AP)