Expansion of distribution of drugs for services that care for people living with HIV and its impact on dispensations. Experience report in Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of Rio Grande do Sul in expanding the distribution of antiretroviral therapy sufficient for providing up to 90 consecutive days of treatment to HIV users, evaluating the logistical impact and the feasibility of maintaining the measures taken. METHODS: Discussions with the Ministry of Health about the implementation of the project to dispense antiretrovirals for 60/90 days (initially for the 1st line of treatment), evaluation of the logistical capacity of Rio Grande do Sul, articulation with the Central State Warehouse, regional health coordinators and local services. The implementation took place in stages and was directly impacted by the arrival of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which meant that measures were streamlined to provide 90-day waivers for all treatment regimens. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The measures implemented resulted in an increase in the proportion of dispensations of all lines of antiretroviral therapy for 60 and 90 days of treatment between 2020 and 2022 in Rio Grande do Sul, which impacted the protection of both patients and workers in the front line of the pandemic. About the state?s logistical capacity to meet the expansion of coverage, the feasibility of the measures was observed, signaling a favorable scenario in case of maintenance.