Over the last couple of years, people have been astonished at the cost of the newer anti-viral drugs. It’s true that anti-HIV medications, especially the new class called protease inhibitors, are among the most expensive compounds on the American market. But along with improved treatment for the AIDS-accompanying opportunistic diseases, the new combination therapies have reduced U.S. AIDS deaths and even AIDS diagnoses by more than half.
Now comes the good economic news that despite the high costs of protease inhibitors, HIV-positive people who are taking them are staying healthier and have fewer days in the hospital and lower overall health-care costs. A new study by the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, covering 1995-97, reveals that their hospitalization dramatically decreased and outpatient visits decreased slightly. Counting the drugs, overall outpatient treatment costs increased slightly, but total HIV costs decreased due to decreases in hospital stays. From 1995 to 1997 the average monthly costs per patient declined from $1905 to $1122, the same per-patient ballpark as kidney disease and common cancers. As noted in December’sNew England Journal of Medicine, the total cost of medical care for HIV-positive people accounted for less than 1% of all personal health expenditures in the United States.
Thus, the science is paying off: People are living longer, higher-quality lives while the overall cost of their individual care is dropping. Now if only we could find a cure. (For details, see Journal of AIDS and Human Retrovirology, 1 Jan 1999.)
— Sandy Bartlett, Community Information/Education Coordinator
AIDS Services of Austin
ASA Info Line: 458-AIDS
E-mail: ASA@fc.net
This article appears in February 26 • 1999 and February 26 • 1999 (Cover).