MOH adds HIV medications to list of subsidised drugs in S'pore

[keyboard]

Not able to verify the authenticity as this seems to be the only media outlet with the report. MOH didn't seem to have a statement on this that I could find.

 

https://mothership.sg/2020/09/hiv-art-medication-subsidised/

 

For the first time in Singapore's history, HIV medications have been added to the Ministry of Health's list of subsidised drugs.

 

HIV medications, known as Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), found on the list, includes but are not limited to Abacavir & Lamivudine (commonly sold under the brand name Kivexa) and Abacavir, Dolutegravir & Lamivudine (commonly sold under the brand name Triumeq).

Both Kivexa and Triumeq are covered on the Standard Drug List, which is the list of subsidised drugs in Singapore. Triumeq, which previously cost around S$580 would now cost S$290 at NUH.

Other HIV medication are also available at subsidised prices via the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF).

 

Reactions to subsidy

 

"I am grateful for this move by MOH to include HIV medications in the subsidised drugs list. Just like how HIV is a manageable condition, the price for medication should be as manageable. Now I can save up more for my future!", said 24-year-old Calvin, an HIV advocate who also lives with HIV.

 

HIV non-governmental organisation Action for AIDS, Singapore (AFA) said that it was "particularly heartened" by this move:

 

"We have long championed the need for ARTs to be subsidised and made affordable for all Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV). International and local experience have shown that ARTs are the most important clinical intervention for improving longevity and preventing opportunistic infections, which in turn leads to PLHIVs leading full and productive lives."

 

 

Reduce viral load

 

People living with HIV can reduce their viral load to undetectable levels if they take their medication regularly and have regular medical follow-up.

Research has also shown that having undetectable levels of viral load negates the possibility of virus transmission.

Roy Chan, President of AFA added that making ART affordable and accessible will improve the prognosis of people living with HIV and will also lead to better HIV prevention and control in the country.

Mothership has reached out to the Ministry of Health to regarding adding ARTs to the list.

[Guest Guest Guest]

You may search for individual drugs here:

https://www.moh.gov.sg/cost-financing/healthcare-schemes-subsidies/drug-subsidies-schemes

[Guest Guest Guest]

You can already see abacavir, lamivudine, dolutegravir on the list under SDL

 

[tic-toc]

Better late than never. Still, it is good news. 

Edited September 4, 2020 by tic-toc

[LoveCum]

.

Edited September 6, 2020 by LoveCum

[fuzzy]

It is a positive move by MOH. It does help to reduce financial burden to HIV patients when the cost of the medication is high. But when will the subsidy kick in? Next month? Thanks.

[p2468]

23 hours ago, LoveCum said:

why bring price down?...its encouraging others to.....

Are you aware of the cost?? This reduction is helpful especially during this difficult times. 

 

 

[wintersnow]

i think finally the gov had realised the financial burden of hiv+ people. they require long term meds like diabetics etc and some people shun away from treatment due to the high cost of the meds.

 

for some members who are unaware, a mth worth of meds could cost close to $700-800

Edited September 5, 2020 by wintersnow

[wilfgene]

25 minutes ago, wintersnow said:

i think finally the gov had realised the financial burden of hiv+ people. they require long term meds like diabetics etc and some people shun away from treatment due to the high cost of the meds.

 

for some members who are unaware, a mth worth of meds could cost close to $700-800

Preliminary stage or after?

[wintersnow]

3 minutes ago, wilfgene said:

Preliminary stage or after?

the amt of meds u use i think should be the same for treatment from my understanding

 

then again im not the expert. im just talking about a 1 mth cycle with the 3-4 classes of meds required 

[Guest Pred]

Is Pred in the list? Can get from Polyclinic?

[Guest Guest Guest Guest]

33 minutes ago, Guest Pred said:

Is Pred in the list? Can get from Polyclinic?

 

I believe you mean PREP.

 

PREP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. If refers to HIV medication taken by people who are not HIV+ but at very high risk of getting HIV to prevent HIV infection. Depending on what are prescribed to the person (as it will differ from person to person), you may just search for the names of the drugs in the MOH website to find out if these medications are now a subsidized medication.

 

Generally, polyclinics only stock commonly used medications - it is quite unlikely that the polyclinics will stock HIV medication but you could always call up the polyclinic pharmacy to ask.

 

Please also note that HIV medications (whether you are taking it as PREP or you are HIV+ and taking it for managing your condition) requires a prescription. Hospital pharmacies may also have certain policies about which prescriptions they can fill so you will have to check - e.g. if your HIV medication prescription is from SGH, you may need to check if other hospitals that are not under SingHealth - e.g. NUH - will fill your prescription).

 

Now that MOH has taken the first step, the hospitals will follow. You may wish to check with your respective hospitals when the subsidy kicks in.

 

With these subsidies, it seems like HIV medications from hospital pharmacies may end up costing less that buying generic HIV medications from buyers clubs.

[Guest Guest Guest]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:59 AM, LoveCum said:

why bring price down?...its encouraging others to.....

 

The price of the medicine is not being brought down - MOH is subsidizing HIV medication, so it means that if you are treated at the government hospitals and your prescription is from the government hospitals and you fill your prescription at government hospital's pharmacies, your HIV medication will be subsidized.

 

it is the same for other medications for diabetes, hypertension etc. - if you are seen at government hospitals and you purchase your medications there, they are subsidized, if you bring your prescription and fill it at a private pharmacy like Guardian or Watsons, it will not be subsidized...

[partial]

Truvada will be subsidised then?

[Guest Guest Guest]

33 minutes ago, partial said:

Truvada will be subsidised then?

 

Per MOH website:

 

(1) Emtricitabine 200 mg + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg is under subsidy class of Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) with the following clinical indication "In combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection"

(2) MOH provides subsidies for drugs at our public hospitals, specialist outpatient clinics and polyclinics to ensure that patients have access to effective medications for common medical conditions in Singapore

[Guest Guest]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:59 AM, LoveCum said:

why bring price down?...its encouraging others to.........or even abuse

what a stupid comment,

you do know some ppl get it unknowingly? Like from their cheating bfs,

or innocent wives who get it from their cheating husbands.

[Guest Guest]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:59 AM, LoveCum said:

why bring price down?...its encouraging others to.........or even abuse

 

It's amazing people Nowadays still have such mentality? 

Then why insist on people wearing seatbelts? Is it encouraging people to speed?

Why give subsidies to any drugs in that case? It's encouraging peole to go for unhealthy lifestyles.

[p2468]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/drugs-used-for-hiv-treatment-now-subsidised-by-moh?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=STFB&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1599376273

 

50 or 75 percent subsidies is of great help

[Guest Hoolly]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:59 AM, LoveCum said:

why bring price down?...its encouraging others to.........or even abuse

The religious right used to think that Aids is divine punishment hence they tried to block research for cure. The drug companies only too pleased to play along and earn profits by treating the symptoms instead of curing.

 

Then Wuhan virus strike, again they think it's the biblical plague that's predicted bringing Armageddon that they've been waiting for. Hence the religious right purposely called it fake news so as to encourage it to spread faster and wider.

 

Now the whole world recognised how selfish, hypocrite and dangerous these religious rights are.

 

Viruses are no Holy weapons, they all attack basically the same way and anybody irrespective of religion. Those years when Aids started, they could have more time to learn more about these viruses and get drugs ready for them. Now we all pay heavy price while desperately fighting for time to get the cure out. One year delay is already devastating monetarily. If they had spend that money earlier on Aids search, we would be ready faster.

[partial]

On 9/5/2020 at 6:01 PM, Guest Guest Guest said:

 

Per MOH website:

 

(1) Emtricitabine 200 mg + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg is under subsidy class of Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) with the following clinical indication "In combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection"

(2) MOH provides subsidies for drugs at our public hospitals, specialist outpatient clinics and polyclinics to ensure that patients have access to effective medications for common medical conditions in Singapore

Called NUH pharmacy and was told Truvada is not in the list and will not be subsidised. What’s the criteria for MAF anyway?

Edited September 15, 2020 by partial

[Steve5380]

This sounds like a good move.  And a partial solution.

 

The ultimate solution for Singapore should be to eradicate HIV by providing testing, free medication and treatment to any resident.  In addition, visitors who are infected should have to give proof of treatment,  that is,  that they are receiving treatment and are undetectable.

 

With these precautions,  there should be no need for PREP since there would not be infected people around who could pass on the virus.