As COVID cases surge nationally, how to access treatment drug Paxlovid

As Texas and the majority of the country experience a surge in COVID-19 cases, more people testing positive might be seeking out relief through treatment drugs like Paxlovid.

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Texas and the majority of the country experience a surge in COVID-19 cases, more people testing positive might be seeking out relief through treatment drugs like Paxlovid. Following an announcement from Paxlovid's manufacturer Pfizer last fall, the drug's costs jumped after transitioning to the commercial market.

Here's what you need to know about those cost changes and how to access it.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported individuals on Medicare, Medicaid and those uninsured will be able to receive Paxlovid doses procured by HHS for free through the end of this year. Between 2025 and 2028, HHS officials said Pfizer will continues its patient assistance program for uninsured and underinsured people accessing Paxlovid through HHS' supply.

HHS added Pfizer is poised to run a copay assistance program for those with commercial insurance coverage through 2028.

October 2023 reporting from CNBC detailed a five-day course of Pfizer's antiviral drug would now cost $1,390 following its introduction to the commercial market. That listed cost doesn't include the addition of rebates or discounts offered to insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, CNBC noted.

However, it did reflect a marked increase in commercial costs compared to the $529 fee the federal government paid for to cover a course of Paxlovid. Prior to 2024, the federal government had been buying and distributing Paxlovid for free to the public.

While Paxlovid is now on the commercial market, HHS officials said the federal government would still work with Pfizer to keep up-to-date products available in HHS' Paxlovid inventory and "will include all new formulations of Paxlovid authorized or approved for use in the U.S."

HHS also tapped Pfizer to provide the federal government with an additional one million treatment courses to be available for COVID-19 surges down the road.

National pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS have details online on which patients qualify for the antiviral treatment and how to access it. More information on Paxlovid's side effects is available online.