Illinois will provide $3.1 million in ADAP funds

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich announced that the state will provide an extra $3.1 million in state funds in fiscal 2005 to cover the rising cost of drugs and increased demand for the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program, the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Of the additional funds, $1.6 million will be used for medications to treat the side effects of antiretroviral drugs, including liver and heart disease, and $1.5 million will be used to cover costs for new program enrollees. State ADAP officials also reported negotiating $1 million in drug discounts, rebates, and price freezes from anti-HIV drug manufacturers that will remain in effect until at least March 2005.