title: Antiretroviral medication diversion among HIV-positive substance abusers in South Florida.
abstract: The high cost of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for HIV represents an expense that impedes accessibility and affordability by patients. This price structure also appears to motivate the diversion of ARVs and the targeting of HIV-positive patients by pill brokers in the illicit market. Our field research with indigent, HIV-positive substance abusers links ARV diversion to high levels of competing needs, including psychiatric disorders, HIV stigma, and homelessness. Interventions to reduce diversion must address the needs of highly vulnerable patients.
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Hilary L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Surratt
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: Theodore J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Grady
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Levi-Minzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006678:HIV; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013240:Stereotyping; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents