Over the past 15 years, the HIV / AIDS epidemic has put a tremendous burden on Broward County. Currently, if Broward County were an individual state, it would rank tenth in the nation in AIDS cases, an unfortunate, yet powerful fact in terms of sheer volume and needs from the community.

The local county Health department’s response to the epidemic has been a major effort to provide a complete spectrum of services to those living with HIV / AIDS. The BCHD has experienced substantial increases in funding from the Broward County government through the Ryan White Title I program, currently over 3.5 million dollars. The BCHD has implemented some very innovative and creative solutions to expand services, ensure county wide access, and remain flexible to the ever changing needs and fluctuations associated with providing care to people living with HIV.

Accomplishments

As of February of 1997, the BCHD became the Lead agency to provide pharmaceutical access to the entire county. Other responsibilities in this role include creating a first ever Ryan White Pharmacy Handbook, which identifies protocols and procedures to access this service, as well as a living formulary, with an established network of pharmacy providers to participate in the process. The pharmacy division has a mechanism to provide homebound delivery services, a network of participating pharmacies to provide around the clock coverage, infusion services, and other components health departments traditionally do not provide, thereby ensuring a complete array of services available for those in need of medications. Recent advancements in pharmaceutical therapies are allowing patients to experience fuller healthier lives while maintaining their quality of life.