Texas DSHS HIV/STD Program - Texas HIV Medication Program

The Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) provides medications for the treatment of HIV and its related complications for low-income Texans. To qualify for medications, potential clients who meet eligibility criteria complete an application for assistance. Once approved, a client receives medications at an assigned pharmacy in their community.

To learn more about the THMP and find out if you are eligible, see the Frequently Asked Questions. You can apply for the program by downloading and completing the client application. Be sure and review the specific “application instructions” when completing the application. The application and its instructions are located on the THMP document page. If you have more questions or need assistance completing your application, call the THMP toll free at 1 (800) 255-1090.

The THMP is the official AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for the State of Texas. The THMP has been in existence since 1987 and provides medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of illnesses caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other opportunistic infections in HIV-infected individuals as prescribed by their doctor. THMP also operates the Texas HIV State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) which helps HIV-positive individuals that do not qualify for the full Low Income Subsidy (extra help) with their out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, including co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance, and during the coverage gap (the "donut hole").

Texas HIV Medication Advisory Committee Meeting on July 31, 2020

Date and Time: Friday, July 31, 2020, 1:30 pm. Central

Location: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted online virtually using Microsoft Teams only. There is not a physical location for this meeting.

To join the meeting, go to: texashhs.org/HIVMAC_July2020. Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

Call to Order and Welcome – Dr. Natalie Vanek, M.D., Committee Chair
Logistical Announcement and Roll Call – Sallie Allen, Advisory Committee Coordination Office, HHSC
Review and Approval of January 24, 2020, Meeting Minutes (Vote Required) - Sallie Allen, Advisory Committee Coordination Office, HHSC
Commissioners Updates – Imelda Garcia, Associate Commissioner, DSHS
Budget Update – Felipe Rocha, MSSW Director TB/HIV/STD Section
THMP Update and COVID-19 public health response – Rachel Sanor, THMP Manager
Presentation: Dynavax Technologies – HEPLISAV B
Presentation: Viiv Healthcare - Fostemsavir
Formulary Sub-committee report – Dr. Natalie Vanek, M.D.
Committee to vote on addition of the following medications to THMP formulary (Vote Required)

HEPLISAV B
Fostemsavir

Sub-Committee Reports

Governance/Data – Nancy Miertschin
Eligibility – Frank Rosas

Public Comment – Sallie Allen, Advisory Committee Coordination Office, HHSC
Committee to vote on Summer and Fall meeting dates of 2021 – future meeting format will be determined by HHSC Executive leadership (Vote required)
Action items and agenda topics for next scheduled meeting October 16, 2020 – Dr. Natalie Vanek, M.D., Committee Chair
Adjourn – Dr. Natalie Vanek, M.D., Committee Chair

Public Comment: The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to the Texas HIV Medication Program. Members of the public who would to provide public comment are asked to complete a Public Comment Form at: texashhs.org/HIVMAC_PCReg_July2020.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in this process by providing written public comment to DSHS by emailing Mary Richards, at Mary.Richards@dshs.texas.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Please include your name and the organization you are representing, or if you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments are limited to three minutes and will be read during the meeting for consideration by the Committee.

If you would like to register to provide oral comments, please mark the correct box on the registration form. Instructions for providing oral comment will be emailed to you with the information about joining the meeting. Registration must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Members of the public may also use the Microsoft Teams Live Event Q&A section to submit a request to provide public comment. The request must contain your name and the organization you are representing, or if you are speaking as a private citizen as well as your direct phone number.

Public comment is limited to 3 minutes. Speakers must state their name, affiliation, and whom they are speaking on behalf of. Public members who are using handouts are asked to provide an electronic copy in accessible pdf format that will be distributed by DSHS staff to Council members, State staff and for public distribution. Handouts are limited to two (2) pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only) of documentation. Handouts must be emailed to HHSC immediately after registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to Mary Richards, Pharmacy Coordinator, Department of State Health Services, at Mary.Richards@dshs.texas.gov or via phone at 1-800 255-1090.

This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this meeting.

People with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting and require assistive technology or services should contact Mary Richards, at Mary.Richards@dshs.texas.gov, or 800 255-1090 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

June 5, 2020 – Section Moving

The DSHS TB/HIV/STD Section began moving to a new location on May 18. All THMP fax numbers and direct staff phone numbers changed on June 5, 2020. Beginning June 5, THMP fax numbers are:

Eligibility: 512-989-4011
Ordering: 512-989-4003

Unchanged by the move: The main Texas HIV Medication Program number: 1-800-255-1090

Forms updated with the new fax numbers include: Medical Certification Forms for normal formulary, Trogarzo, and HCV medications, and the Extra Medication Request Form. These documents are all available on the THMP documents page.

April 16, 2020 – Notice for THMP Participating Pharmacies and Providers

One medication on the THMP Formulary is currently unavailable due to supply shortages.

Rifabutin 150 mg is not currently available due to the location of the manufacturers. Please speak to your client and medical provider regarding alternatives.

Other medications are on hand at normal levels. THMP is working to resolve the supply issues and will post an update when they have been resolved. We will continue to provide a two month supply of medications whenever possible during the COVID-19 emergency.

April 13, 2020 – Formulary Changes

Two medications have been added to the THMP Formulary:

Livalo (pitavastatin calcium), 2 mg tablets, #90 per bottle
Zypitamag (pitavastatin magnesium), 2 mg tablets, #90 per bottle

These medications are for the treatment of high cholesterol, and must be dispensed in full bottle amounts.

The following medications have been removed from the THMP Formulary due to lack of utilization:

Fuzeon 90 mg/vial injection
Tybost (cobicistat) 150 mg tablets
Vitekta (elvitegravir) 85 mg tablets and 150 mg tablets

The Medical Certification Form and THMP Formulary have been updated. Both can be found on the THMP documents page.

THMP COVID-19 Update

Please complete the Emergency Application for medication assistance with THMP. If you have or have recently lost your employer-provided health insurance, please complete the Texas Insurance Assistance Program Application as well.

Emergency Application in English (Word : 44 kB) and Spanish (Word : 57 kB)
Texas Insurance Assistance Program Application in English (Word : 30 kB) and Spanish (Word : 36 kB)
THMP COVID-19 Update letter in English (PDF : 239 kB) and Spanish (PDF : 239 kB)