Paxlovid can lessen the chance of a severe COVID-19 illness. Why is it underused?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

 

 

Tens of thousands of Americans are hospitalized with COVID-19 every week. Thousands die from it every month. And yet, an antiviral treatment proven to lessen the chances of severe outcomes is going underused.

 

The drug, Paxlovid, is lauded by experts as a powerful tool that can prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19. But the high price and doctors’ hesitation to prescribe the pills mean the five-day treatment isn’t getting to everyone who would benefit from it.

 

“When you read in your local newspaper that in this hospital, they’ve got this many COVID patients, most of those are preventable hospitalizations,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University who sees Paxlovid as a useful tool to treat COVID-19.

 

(more)

 

https://apnews.com/article/paxlovid-cost-covid19-f03f3732e14fbbcb0fe33220db67c9f1

 

[stoner]

because most people don't care anymore.  150 000 humans die each and every day. 

 

 

[connda]

It made me throw up 5 minutes after taking it.  I took Tylenol and was over it in 4 days.  My wife took it.  She was over it in 4 day, but had a lingering cough for about a week.  Neither of us took the shots.
But?  Natural immunity.  ❤️

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Biden health officials press pharmacies on Paxlovid affordability

The Biden administration is pressing pharmacies to ensure that patients with COVID-19 are not being charged thousands of dollars for Paxlovid. 

 

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra met virtually this week with CEOs from Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Kroger, as well as trade group leaders, to discuss the importance of pharmacist education and clear, accurate communication to patients about the costs of the COVID-19 treatment. 

...

The Biden administration negotiated with Pfizer on ways to ensure the drug is affordable. Individuals on Medicare and Medicaid will be able to access Paxlovid for free through the end of 2024 through a patient assistance program, and uninsured individuals can receive Paxlovid for free through 2028. 

 

(more)

 

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4454284-biden-health-paxlovid-covid-19/