Antiretroviral medication diversion among HIV-positive substance abusers in South Florida

H.L. Surratt, S.P. Kurtz, T.J. Cicero, C. O'Grady and M.A. Levi-Minzi

American Journal of Public Health, 2013, vol. 103, issue 6, 1026-1028

Abstract: The high cost of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for HIV represents an expense that impedes accessibility and affordability by patients. This price structure also appears to motivate the diversion of ARVs and the targeting of HIVpositive patients by pill brokers in the illicit market. Our field research with indigent, HIV-positive substance abusers links ARV diversion to high levels of competing needs, including psychiatric disorders, HIV stigma, and homelessness. Interventions to reduce diversion must address the needs of highly vulnerable patients.

Keywords: antiretrovirus agent, addiction; adult; article; commercial phenomena; economics; female; homelessness; human; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; interview; male; medication compliance; mental disease; middle aged; social psychology; statistics; United States, Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Commerce; Female; Florida; HIV; HIV Seropositivity; Homeless Persons; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Medication Adherence; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Stereotyping; Substance-Related Disorders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.301092_8

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301092

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