While the majority of AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) are unable to provide pegylated interferon and ribavirin to HIV-positive people coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), some do extend coverage to those in need of HCV treatment or therapies to manage side effects, according to a new guide produced by the Treatment Action Group (TAG).  

ADAPs traditionally provide full or partial coverage for the cost of HIV treatments for people who do not have private or government health insurance and who have incomes low enough to qualify for the ADAP programs. Some state ADAPs offer narrow coverage of just antiretroviral (ARV) treatments for HIV, while others offer coverage of a range of HIV-related treatments, including HCV therapy.

TAG, a New York City-based AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis research advocacy and policy organization, has also published a comprehensive review of the experimental HCV therapies currently in the research pipeline.