Background Epidemiologic research among migrant populations is limited by logistical, methodological, and ethical challenges, but it is necessary for informing public health and humanitarian programming. Objective We describe a methodology to estimate HIV prevalence among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. Methods Respondent-driven sampling, a nonprobability sampling method, was selected for attributes of reaching highly networked populations without sampling frames and analytic methods that permit estimation of population parameters. Respondent-driven sampling was modified to permit electronic referral of peers via SMS text messaging and WhatsApp. Participants complete sociobehavioral surveys and rapid HIV and syphilis screening tests with confirmatory testing. HIV treatment is not available for migrants who have entered Colombia through irregular pathways; thus, medicolegal services integrated into posttest counseling provide staff lawyers and legal assistance to participants diagnosed with HIV or syphilis for sustained access to treatment through the national health system. Case finding is integrated into respondent-driven sampling to allow partner referral. This study is implemented by a local community-based organization providing HIV support services and related legal services for Venezuelans in Colombia. Results Data collection was launched in 4 cities in July and August 2021. As of November 2021, 3105 of the target 6100 participants were enrolled, with enrollment expected to end by February/March 2022. Conclusions Tailored methods that combine community-led efforts with innovations in sampling and linkage to care can aid in advancing health research for migrant and displaced populations. Worldwide trends in displacement and migration underscore the value of improved methods for translation to humanitarian and public health programming. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/36026

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The use of medicines in exceptional circumstances refers to the use of non authorized medicines, or which are used outside the authorized conditions, and includes three different situations: (a) The use of medication in research or compassionate use; (b) The use of foreign medicines (medicines unauthorized in one country but authorized in others), and; (c) Off-label use (medicines outside the authorized conditions of use, or use out of indication). In Spain we intend to govern the period between authorization and price, with standard criteria, through Therapeutic Positioning Reports. The keys to manage this situation, in our opinion, could be: (1) A restrictive interpretation of access that can be made through the Therapeutic Positioning Reports, (2) with an agreement so that the medication is paid at the price at which finally it is financed, and (3) restricting this period of time to only a few months or less (e.g. orphan medicines). Introduction Access to medicines in exceptional circumstances (compassionate use, off-label use, and foreign drugs) is a health need. Many of these non-covered pharmacological needs are given in committed clinical situations, understanding such as chronic or severely debilitating diseases or those that they place patient's life in danger, and cannot be satisfactorily addressed with one authorized and commercialized medication. The use of medicines in exceptional circumstances refers to the use of non authorized medicines, or which are used outside the authorized conditions, and includes three situations different well delimited in the Spanish Royal Decree (RD) 1015/2009 regulating the availability of medicinal products in special situations: (a) The use of medication in research or compassionate use; (b) The use of foreign medicines (medicines unauthorized in Spain but authorized in other countries, and; (c) Off-label use (medicines outside the authorized conditions of use or use out of indication). The legislation limits the use of each one of them for those exceptional circumstances in which there is no other commercial therapeutic alternative and describe two different situations for each one, the individual use or those situations in which there may be a collective use (which the legislation states, respectively, temporary use authorization, use protocol or recommendations of use). The Spanish procedure is absolutely guarantor [1], requiring for its authorization: 1) the informed consent of the patient; 2) the request of a specialist physician; 3) the conformity of the Medical Chief Director of the healthcare center; 4) the conformity of the promoter or pharmaceutical company, and, finally; 5) the authorization by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic research among migrant populations is limited by logistical, methodological, and ethical challenges, but necessary for informing public health and humanitarian programming. OBJECTIVE We describe a methodology to estimate HIV prevalence among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. METHODS Respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a non-probability sampling method, was selected for attributes of reaching highly networked populations without sampling frames and analytic methods that permit estimation of population parameters. RDS was modified to permit electronic referral of peers via SMS and Whatsapp. Participants complete socio-behavioral surveys and rapid HIV and syphilis screening tests with confirmatory testing. HIV treatment is not available for migrants who have entered Colombia through irregular pathways; thus, medicolegal services integrated into post-test counseling provide staff lawyers and legal assistance to participants diagnosed with HIV or syphilis for sustained access to treatment through the national health system. Case finding is integrated into RDS to allow partner referral. The study is implemented by a local community-based organization providing HIV support services and related legal services for Venezuelans in Colombia. RESULTS Data collection launched in four cities in July and August 2021. As of November 2021, 3,105 of the target 6,100 participants were enrolled. CONCLUSIONS Tailored methods that combine community-led efforts with innovations in sampling and linkage to care can aid in advancing health research for migrant and displaced populations. Worldwide trends in displacement and migration underscore the value of improved methods for translation to humanitarian and public health programming.