My Health And Body

The Clinton Health Access Initiative is one of many organizations throughout the world doing something to make HIV AIDS medicine access affordable to all whom need it. According to the organization, nearly two thirds of people who need AIDS medications are not getting them. A small number of these people actually refuse to seek treatment. However, many simply do not have the means or access to reliable anti-retroviral drugs that are the common therapy for those infected.

While many of these people live in low to moderate income countries, the problem is particularly serious in South Africa. There are many skeptics who believe that testing, diagnosing, and treating children is far too costly and cannot be sustained. The CHAI has developed programs to treat nearly 6 million people and has also developed a program to diagnose and treat children. The cost for a year of HIV AIDS medicine access is reported to be between $100 and $200 per individual. This is a far cry from the tens of thousands experts believed would be needed..

While CHAI helps develop HIV aids medicine access in low income countries where the disease is more prevalent there are many efforts in the U.S. to make treatment affordable. Pharmaceutical companies that manufacture anti-retroviral drugs have programs for U.S. residents with low-income who do not have prescription drug coverage.

For those with health insurance the drug companies may make co-pays up to a certain limit each month or year, to make HIV aids medicine access more affordable. More than a million people in the U.S. are currently living with the virus, according to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders and other politicians are currently attempting to restructure pricing for name brand and generic drugs to make them affordable for all those infected who need treatment.

 HIV aids medicine access remains a problem in the U.S. and around the world. Waiting lists for treatment programs are long. Individuals can help by supporting local or regional programs that help provide treatment for those living with the virus. Although  infected individuals may need support with other challenges like finding jobs, suitable housing, and nutritious food, obtaining the correct medication is the largest expense many of them will face.

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