High Cost Of A.I.D.S. Drug Daunting (Press, 2 April 1987)

According to a report from 2 April 1987 by David Brough of NZPA, many American patients suffering from A.I.D.S. are facing a distressing dilemma due to the exorbitant costs of a newly approved treatment drug, AZT. The annual treatment price is estimated to be between US$7,000 and US$10,000, which poses a significant barrier for patients without private health insurance or those who do not meet the poverty requirements for federal Medicaid support. In the United States, approximately 30,000 A.I.D.S. cases have been diagnosed, and the disease, characterized by the deterioration of the immune system, leads to a range of opportunistic infections. It is transmitted through bodily fluids, mainly during sexual contact and through the use of tainted blood products and needles. AZT, or azidothymidine, is notable as the first drug approved for A.I.D.S. treatment after trials indicated it can slow the disease's progression, although it does not cure it. Developed by Burroughs Wellcome in North Carolina, the medication has also gained marketing approval in countries such as Britain and France. The high cost of AZT has left many patients feeling hopeless. Jay Van Horne, an A.I.D.S. patient involved in hotline support, highlighted the devastation experienced by those who cannot afford treatment. Lori Behrman, affiliated with the Gay Men’s Health Crisis Hotline in New York, expressed concern, questioning how such an expensive drug could be accessible to those in dire need. There are fears among many patients, such as Archie Harrison, who has benefited from free AZT through clinical trials, that the FDA's approval could lead to the end of accessible treatment options. A representative from Burroughs Wellcome acknowledged the high price of AZT is a result of substantial production and development costs. Nevertheless, efforts were made to price the drug thoughtfully considering patients' needs. For those with private health insurance that includes prescription drug coverage, there remains a glimmer of hope for being able to afford AZT treatment. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association confirmed that their plans would cover FDA-approved medications like AZT for insured individuals. The escalating costs of A.I.D.S. treatment raise urgent questions regarding healthcare accessibility and the ethical implications of drug pricing, particularly for life-sustaining medications in a period where the disease poses significant challenges to public health.

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