Antiretroviral Medication Diversion Among HIV-Positive Substance Abusers in South Florida

Bibliographic Data

ID11022711
AuthorsHilary L Surratt (0000-0003-4027-7840, At the time of the study, Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz, Catherine O’Grady, and Maria A. Levi-Minzi were with the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, Newark. Theodore J. Cicero was with the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.), Steven P Kurtz (0000-0002-4243-8129, At the time of the study, Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz, Catherine O’Grady, and Maria A. Levi-Minzi were with the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, Newark. Theodore J. Cicero was with the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.), Theodore J Cicero (0000-0002-4716-3398, At the time of the study, Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz, Catherine O’Grady, and Maria A. Levi-Minzi were with the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, Newark. Theodore J. Cicero was with the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.), Catherine O’Grady (At the time of the study, Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz, Catherine O’Grady, and Maria A. Levi-Minzi were with the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, Newark. Theodore J. Cicero was with the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.), Maria A Levi-Minzi (At the time of the study, Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz, Catherine O’Grady, and Maria A. Levi-Minzi were with the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, Newark. Theodore J. Cicero was with the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.), Maria A Levi‐Minzi (Nova Southeastern University)
Year2013
Volume103
Issue6
Pages1026-1028
Publication date2013-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2012.301092
PMID23597362
PMCIDPMC3670661
OpenAlexW2138531039
LanguageEN
Citations received19
References cited12

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

Antiretroviral therapy · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Pill · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Stigma (botany) · Substance abuse · Substance use · Viral load · HIV-related health complications and treatments · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing