The high cost of these drugs has not interfered with many Rhode Islanders getting the new drugs. There are a variety of ways of paying for them.
Some persons have health insurance.
Also, studies show that the money spent on the new drugs is being offset by huge savings in hospital care costs. Physicians and other health care providers stress the importance of sticking with the drug therapies once it is started. This may be very difficult for some persons, usually because of drug side effects or the complexity of the regimens. Patients who do not follow their regimens develop drug resistance.