New Program to Provide Free Meds to Treat Hepatitis C

A new initiative led by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) and hepatitis c drug manufacturer Schering-Plough will make available free hepatitis c medications for those patients getting their HIV medications through state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP). Schering-Plough will provide free of charge their hepatitis c drugs PEG-Intron and Rebetol to 1500 HIV / hepatitis c coinfected patients who are getting their HIV medications through ADAP. In addition, the 1500 patients will be able to access Schering-Plough's 24 hour toll free nurse line to assist with the issues of hepatitis c treatment. The hope is that this program will improve access to hepatitis c treatment for the HIV / hepatitis c co-infected.