Regulations governing the payment and support for HIV antiviral medications.

Payment for HIV antiviral medication is made in accordance with the regulations on payment and settlement of medical examination and treatment costs under health insurance between medical facilities.

According to information from the Government Office on November 15th, the Prime Minister has just issued Decision 2188/QD-TTg regulating the payment for HIV antiviral drugs purchased through national centralized procurement from the health insurance fund for medical examination and treatment and supporting people using HIV antiviral drugs.

This decision stipulates the implementation of national-level centralized procurement for HIV antiviral drugs in accordance with the Law on Bidding dated November 26, 2013, Government Decree No. 63/2014/ND-CP dated June 26, 2014 detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Bidding regarding contractor selection, and other guiding documents.

Treatment with anti-HIV drugs (ARV medications) inhibits the replication of the virus and keeps the viral load in the blood at the lowest possible level. (Image published in the Health and Life Newspaper.)

Regarding the payment for HIV antiviral drugs from the health insurance fund, the Decision states: Based on the framework agreement between the Ministry of Health and the selected drug supplier, the health insurance organization will sign a direct contract with the drug supplier.

Payment for HIV antiviral drugs is made in accordance with the regulations on payment and settlement of medical examination and treatment costs under health insurance between medical facilities and health insurance organizations currently in effect.

The decision stipulates: Based on budgetary capacity, localities shall ensure support for co-payment costs for HIV antiviral drugs for people with HIV/AIDS who have health insurance cards through the Fund for Medical Examination and Treatment for the Poor and the Fund for Supporting People with HIV, as stipulated in Decision No. 139/2002/QD-TTg dated October 15, 2002 of the Prime Minister on medical examination and treatment for the poor, Decision No. 14/2012/QD-TTg dated March 1, 2012 of the Prime Minister amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decision No. 139/2002/QD-TTg dated October 15, 2002 of the Prime Minister on medical examination and treatment for the poor, and Decision No. 60/2007/QD-TTg dated May 7, 2007 of the Prime Minister on the establishment of the Fund for Supporting People with HIV/AIDS.

Medical facilities covered by health insurance that provide antiretroviral treatment for HIV-infected individuals may use other funds (if any) of the unit as stipulated in Article 12 of Government Decree No. 16/2015/ND-CP dated February 14, 2015, regulating the autonomous mechanism of public non-business units, to support the co-payment portion of antiretroviral drugs for HIV-infected individuals.

According to Giaoduc.net