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South Wales Central Assembly Member
Eluned Parrott reported that a new prescription distribution designed to reduce
medicine waste “severely” compromises the lives of HIV-infected people. The new
system requires HIV patients in Cardiff and Vale to go to a hospital pharmacy
during working hours to pick up antiretroviral medicines every 28 days.
According to Parrott, other health boards allow patients to get enough
medications for six months to a year. Health Minister Mark Drakeford stated
that the 28-day system aimed to reduce “a substantial risk of waste” associated
with longer prescriptions.
HIV-infected people are under no
obligation to disclose their illness, but taking regular time off to pick up
medicines could cause problems due to ongoing stigma and discrimination against
people with HIV. To preserve anonymity, one Cardiff patient has opted to travel
300 miles round-trip to pick up his medicine in London. Stable HIV-infected
patients see their consulting physician only twice a year and do not need a monthly
consultation for medications, according to the Cardiff patient.
The All-Wales Medicines Strategy
Group recommended the 28-day system, but urged “discretion” for some medicines
and individuals. Darrell Baker, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s
service director for pharmacy and medicines management, stated that the board
was working with patients to find alternative delivery methods, including
sending medications to a home or work address, a “local sorting office,” post
office, or other prearranged address. He added that the board would consider
providing medications for longer periods of time.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
