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Can pharmacists prescribe Paxlovid?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Aug 26, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

If you are eligible, Paxlovid, an oral COVID-19 medication, can be prescribed by state-licensed pharmacists in the U.S. The pharmacist will need certain health records from the past year, such as your kidney and liver function lab tests, as well as a list of your current medications.

Your lab work may be available online through your healthcare provider or the company that provides your lab work and test results. In addition, your doctor or nurse may be able to send your lab results electronically to your pharmacist.

If you do not have access to this information, your pharmacist can contact your primary health care provider, or you can get a Paxlovid prescription from your doctor, an urgent care center, or via a virtual telehealth visit.

Paxlovid treatment must be started within 5 days of COVID-19 symptom onset, so do not delay in gathering this information, or have it on hand in case of a need.

Learn More: Paxlovid dosing (in more detail)

Who can get Paxlovid treatment?

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is an oral antiviral medication used in people 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg (88 lb) who have mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, and are at high risk for severe disease or hospitalization. COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Paxlovid may be prescribed if you have mild-to-moderate symptoms that started within the last 5 days. Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms do not usually require hospitalization.

Mild-to-moderate symptoms include:

Am I at high risk for severe COVID-19?

Risk factors for severe COVID-19 may include:

If you are at high risk for COVID-19 complications and have tested positive, contact your healthcare provider right away. In studies, high-risk patients who were treated with Paxlovid saw an 89% reduction in the risk of severe disease and/or hospitalization. Mild symptoms may progress quickly with COVID-19.

Clinical judgment from your healthcare provider or pharmacist is needed to accurately assess a person’s risk for severe COVID-19 on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency warning signs or symptoms for COVID-19 may include:

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency room or facility. Tell the person on the phone that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and suspect you have COVID‑19, talk to your healthcare professional about whether Paxlovid treatment is right for you.

Your risk for severe outcomes may also be increased by other factors or circumstances not listed here, so be sure to discuss your medical history with a healthcare professional.

Why can’t my pharmacist prescribe Paxlovid?

Not everyone is eligible for Paxlovid treatment. Some of the reasons your pharmacist may NOT be able to prescribe Paxlovid include:

If your pharmacist cannot prescribe Paxlovid, contact your doctor, urgent care, center emergency department or other healthcare provider right away for further evaluation. This is not a complete list of reasons why you may not be eligible for Paxlovid treatment.

Related questions

Can a pharmacist prescribe Paxlovid to a child?

Yes, a pharmacist may prescribe Paxlovid to children 12 years and older and weighing at least 40 kg (88 lb), when appropriate and after an assessment, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid.

Specifically, the EUA for Paxlovid authorizes treatment of children with mild-to-moderate COVID, 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg (88 lb), who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

On May 25, 2023, FDA approved Paxlovid for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Through the New Drug Application, the FDA has determined that Paxlovid is safe and effective when used in accordance with the FDA-approved labeling.

For adults, Paxlovid is prescribed as an approved product based on the current FDA labeling and no longer under an EUA.

What is an EUA?

Emergency use authorization (Section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act) is NOT the same as FDA approval or licensure. FDA may authorize an unapproved product or unapproved uses of an approved product for emergency use.

The FDA issued the Paxlovid EUA based on available evidence that the product may be effective in diagnosing, treating, or preventing a serious or life-threatening disease, that known benefits outweigh risks and there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.

As of March 9, 2024, only FDA-approved Paxlovid that is manufactured and labeled as outlined in the New Drug Application (NDA), may be dispensed.

EUA-labeled Paxlovid is no longer authorized for emergency use, even though pediatric patients are still prescribed Paxlovid under an EUA. All EUA-labeled Paxlovid remaining in distribution should be returned to the manufacturer (Pfizer) or disposed of according to regulations.

How do I get Paxlovid if I can’t afford it?

Paxlovid is expensive and many people may not be able to afford it if they do not have insurance. The cash price for oral Paxlovid is around $1,539 for a supply of 20 or 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit and any coupons or copay cards you may have.

If you are unable to afford Paxlovid, or do not have insurance coverage, there are other options available.

Commercially-insured patients

The Pfizer Co-Pay Savings Program is available for eligible commercially-insured patients who may pay as little as $0 with the PAXCESS Co-Pay Savings Program.

Commercially-insured means you have private insurance your employer provides or you have bought on your own through the Healthcare.gov website.

Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE

People with Medicare, Medicaid/CHIP, TRICARE, insurance through the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network and uninsured patients can receive Paxlovid at no charge through December 31, 2024 with the U.S. Government Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) operated by the manufacturer of Paxlovid (Pfizer).

Contact Pfizer for more information at 1‑8‍77‑C19‑PACK (1-877-219-7225) or discuss payment options with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

To learn more about Paxlovid costs and copay assistance, visit:

This is not all the information you need to know about COVID-19 and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

Read next

Can you take Paxlovid twice if COVID rebounds?

No, a second round of Paxlovid treatment is not needed after the initial 5-day treatment if COVID rebound occurs. Case reports suggest that most people who develop COVID rebound after completing 5 days of treatment have either no symptoms or mild illness. To date, there is no association between Paxlovid and COVID rebound. Continue reading

How effective is Paxlovid for COVID-19?

Paxlovid is effective at lowering the risk of hospitalization or death by 86% for adult patients who are at high risk of COVID-19 progressing to severe illness when Paxlovid is started within the first 3 days of COVID-19 symptoms. Continue reading

How do Paxlovid and molnupiravir compare for COVID-19?

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) are two oral treatment options for mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease. However, they have some key differences. Continue reading

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