The cost of providing comprehensive HIV treatment in PEPFAR-supported programs

Abstract

Background: PEPFAR, national governments, and other stakeholders are investing unprecedented resources to provide HIV treatment in developing countries. This study reports empirical data on costs and cost trends in a large sample of HIV treatment sites.

Design: In 2006-2007, we conducted cost analyses at 43 PEPFAR-supported outpatient clinics providing free comprehensive HIV treatment in Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Vietnam.

Methods: We collected data on HIV treatment costs over consecutive 6-month periods starting from scale-up of dedicated HIV treatment services at each site. The study included all patients receiving HIV treatment and care at study sites [62,512 antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 44,394 pre-ART patients]. Outcomes were costs per patient and total program costs, subdivided by major cost categories.

Results: Median annual economic costs were US$ 202 (2009 USD) for pre-ART patients and US$ 880 for ART patients. Excluding antiretrovirals, per patient ART costs were US$ 298. Care for newly initiated ART patients cost 15-20% more than for established patients. Per patient costs dropped rapidly as sites matured, with per patient ART costs dropping 46.8% between first and second 6-month periods after the beginning of scale-up, and an additional 29.5% the following year. PEPFAR provided 79.4% of funding for service delivery, and national governments provided 15.2%.

Conclusion: Treatment costs vary widely between sites, and high early costs drop rapidly as sites mature. Treatment costs vary between countries and respond to changes in antiretroviral regimen costs and the package of services. Whereas cost reductions may allow near-term program growth, programs need to weigh the trade-off between improving services for current patients and expanding coverage to new patients.

Figure One

Distribution of Annualized Per-Patient Costs for ART and Pre-ART Patients Across HIV Treatment Sites in 2006–07 (Economic Costs, 2009 USD)*. For both ART and Pre-ART patients, the high cost outlier was a site with comparatively low patient volume that was undergoing rapid expansion, having added 76% to its existing ART patient volume during the period. *ART distribution graph excludes Botswana sites.

Figure Two

Change in Median Per-Patient Financial Costs in Successive 6-Month Periods, from Start of HIV Treatment Scale-Up in Each Site through 2006–07 (2009 USD)

Figure Three

Distribution of Total Financial Costs in Successive 6-Month Periods, from Start of HIV Treatment Scale-Up in Each Site through 2006–07δ. * Other Investments include construction/renovation, equipment and training. ^$ Other Recurrent Costs include non-ARV medications, laboratory supplies, other supplies, building rental, travel expenses, utilities and contracted services. ^δ Figure excludes Botswana sites.