Merck & Co, Inc, and the ADAP Crisis Task Force (ACTF) has begun a series of key initiatives to help struggling state AIDS Drug Assistance Programmes (ADAPs) continue to provide people living with HIV access to medicines.

Through the initiative, Merck will be extending the price freeze of Isentress, which was first established with the ACTF in 2008 and Crixivan (indinavir sulfate) capsules first established with the ACTF in 2003 to be eligible for ADAPs through December 31, 2013. Working with the ACTF to provide expanded financial relief to eligible ADAPs through increased discounts for Isentress and Crixivan is also Merck's part of portfolio in the initiative.

The collaboration will also expedite the processing of state rebate claims to speed up rebate payments to eligible ADAPs the company will with the National Alliance of State and Territorial Directors (NASTAD) to find solutions to provide technical assistance to ADAP programmes.

"On behalf of the nearly two hundred thousand clients that ADAPs serve, we applaud Merck for its continued commitment to HIV," said Dwayne Haught, manager, HIV Medication Programme for the Texas Department of State Health Services and a spokesperson for the ADAP Crisis Task Force. "Merck's history of HIV research, along with its responsible pricing and related efforts to help alleviate the current funding crisis facing ADAPs, is consistent with Merck's track record of working to help ensure access to treatments such as Crixivan and Isentress for the people most in need."

"ADAPs provide crucial support for uninsured and underserved people living with HIV," said Patrick Bergstedt, senior vice president and general manager, Merck Infectious Diseases Franchise. "At Merck we believe that it is important that ADAPs are able to continue to provide support for as many people that need it, especially given the unprecedented fiscal challenges confronting many states at this time."

"These actions come at a time when federal funding for ADAPs remains flat and state funding continues to decrease, making it difficult for the ADAP programmes to provide access and care to the patients they serve," said Lynda Dee, spokesperson for the Fair Pricing Coalition. "The Fair Pricing Coalition commends Merck for its long-standing commitment to providing access to treatment and welcomes Merck's new initiatives to help with the current funding crises.”

Expansion of Special Pricing Programme for Isentress and Crixivan and extension of price freeze to eligible ADAPs through 2013.

The ACTF, a group of state ADAP and AIDS directors that is convened by NASTAD, requested that drug companies consider implementation of cost control measures, such as a price freeze of HIV drugs to ADAPs to help mitigate the current financial crises. In response, Merck established an expanded Special Pricing programme for its HIV medicines for eligible ADAPs. The expanded Special Pricing Programmes for Isentress and Crixivan will begin July 1, 2010 and extend through December 31, 2013.

The price freeze extension follows Merck's earlier agreement with the ACTF in 2008 to freeze the price of Isentress to eligible ADAPs at its launch price. The extension of its price freeze on Crixivan to eligible ADAPs will also last through December 31, 2013. When it announced its voluntary price freeze in 2003, Merck was the first company to freeze the price of an anti-retroviral (ARV) drug to ADAPs. Merck will reassess these programmes in 2014, after implementation of the US government's newly expanded Medicaid programme and subsidized private health insurance plans mandated by health care reform legislation (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).