Walmart, Sam’s Club Locations to Distribute COVID-19 Antiviral Drugs, May Reduce Risk of Hospitalization
(WFRV) – Some Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies across the country will distribute COVID-19 antiviral drugs cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to a statement, this week some Walmart and Sam’s Club locations began receiving and distributing Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, two COVID-19 antiviral drugs that help relieve mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and may help reduce the risk. hospitalization.
What is Molnupiravir? Who is eligible to receive the drug?
According to the FDA, molnupiravir is a nucleoside analogue that works by introducing errors into the genetic code of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which prevents the virus from replicating further.
Molnupiravir is available by prescription only and has been cleared for emergency use for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults 18 years of age and older who:
- Test positive for COVID-19
- are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death
- FDA Approved Alternative COVID-19 Treatment Options Not Accessible or Clinically Appropriate
The use of molnupiravir is not allowed in the following cases:
- Molnupiravir Not Approved for Initiation of Treatment in Patients Requiring Hospitalization Due to COVID-19.6
- The use of molnupiravir is not allowed for more than five consecutive days.
- Molnupiravir is not approved for use in pre-exposure or as post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of COVID-19.
For more information on Molnupiravir, click here.
What is Paxlovid? Who is eligible to receive the drug?
According to the FDA, Paxlovid is made up of nirmatrelvir, which inhibits a SARS-CoV-2 protein to prevent the virus from replicating, and ritonavir, which slows down the breakdown of nirmatrelvir to help it stay in the body longer. higher concentrations. .
Paxlovid is available by prescription only and has been authorized for emergency use for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who:
- Test positive for COVID-19
- are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death
Paxlovid is not allowed to be used in the following ways:
- Paxlovid is not authorized for the initiation of treatment in patients requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19.6.
- Paxlovid is not authorized for use as a pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of COVID-19
- Paxlovid is not authorized for use for more than 5 consecutive days.
For more information on Paxlovid, click here.
Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are now available to eligible customers with valid prescriptions at select Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies nationwide. People eligible to receive the drugs can have their provider send their prescription electronically to a Walmart or Sam’s Club pharmacy that has the drug in stock.
Since these treatments are for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, officials say the drugs will be distributed only by curbside pickup or drive-thru.
“We are committed to working with our state and federal partners to provide access to new treatment options such as licensed COVID-19 antiviral drugs, as they become available,” said Kevin Host, vice-president. senior president of pharmacy. “This drug offers clients the opportunity to recover at home and helps reduce the burden on our hospitals and communities.”
Although the initial drug supply is limited, pharmacies Walmart and Sam’s Club say they hope to expand access to treatment nationwide soon. Customers can find out if the store or club near them sells the COVID-19 antiviral drugs here.
