Free antiretrovirals must not be restricted only to treatment-naive patients. Experience in Uganda suggests that restricting access is not the way forward

PLoS Med. 2005 Oct;2(10):e276. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0020276. Epub 2005 Sep 13.

Abstract

In some antiretroviral drug distribution programmes, free drugs are provided only, or preferentially, to patients who are treatment-naive. Colebunders and colleagues argue that such a restricted policy is highly problematic.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / economics*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / economics*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Eligibility Determination
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Patient Selection
  • Uganda

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents