Starting November 1, the US government will distribute Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Lagevrio COVID-19 oral antivirals through traditional commercial channels. Returns of 7.9 million courses will fund a program to keep Paxlovid free for Medicare and Medicaid patients through 2024…
Most people can still get Paxlovid and Lagevrio. Health officials said Friday that COVID-19 oral antiviral medications will remain affordable after the U.S. government distributes them to the commercial market next month.
The government oversaw treatment, vaccine, and test distribution but has moved it to commercial channels. Commercial ordering for the treatments begins Nov. 1.
The U.S. government paid $530 each course for Paxlovid, the most often prescribed at-home COVID-19 treatment, and provided it free.
Last week, Pfizer revealed Paxlovid would cost about $1,400 per course before insurance and pharmacy benefit manager rebates.
The launch of these products on Nov. 1 will not cause sudden changes because there’s still an ample supply of federally-owned therapeutics with millions of treatment courses in the field, said an HHS official.
“Most people who need therapeutics will continue to be able to access the treatment they need at low or no cost, both during this transition, as well as after this transition to the commercial market,” he told reporters on a call.
The official said providers can order Lagevrio until Nov. 10 and Paxlovid until Dec. 15, and the government encourages them to keep distributing the federal-owned supply for free until it runs out.
The official said that Pfizer’s agreement to allow the return of 7.9 million courses will fund a program to keep Paxlovid free for Medicare and Medicaid patients through 2024 and uninsured and underinsured patients through 2028.
Starting Nov. 15, the official stated returns will be accepted until year’s end. The government recommends returns begin in December to allow for patient assistance programs and commercially-labeled doses.
Conclusion
From November 1, the US government will distribute Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Lagevrio COVID-19 oral antivirals. The government formerly distributed these medications, immunizations, and diagnostics, but now it does them through commercial channels. Commercial ordering for the treatments begins Nov. 1. The US government paid $530 each course for Paxlovid, the most often recommended at-home COVID-19 treatment, and made it free. Before insurer rebates and pharmacy benefit manager reductions, Pfizer priced Paxlovid at almost $1,400 per course. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) claimed most patients who need medicines will continue to receive them at low or no cost during and after the commercial market transition. The government advises providers to distribute the federally-owned supply for free until it runs out.
