Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #109

[MimosaMornings]

These kits are free from the federal government right now, if you haven't ordered them recently. Each address can order four test kits and there are two tests in each kit, so 8 free tests per address.

Yes! I received all of mine and have 1 free test left.
I use them on a regular basis due to work exposure (plane/airport) and spending time with elderly or immune compromised family members.

 

[Betty P]

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

My older sister and BIL have had Covid for 3 weeks now. I wonder if its this variant? They got it when she threw a birthday party for him and he insisted on inviting a neighbor who bragged about not getting vaccinated. Yep, he attended and he had COVID, even though he claimed he didn't.

 

[ilovepierre]

Those with Medicare can get them free at pharmacies…

Medicare Covers Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests | CMS

Medicare has a new initiative that will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you. Who’s eligible? Medicare will cover these tests if you have Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

www.cms.gov

In Canada, they’re free for anyone at all pharmacies. They’ll even give you as many kits as you want.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Pharmacists can now prescribe Pfizer's COVID-19 pill

The new policy announced Wednesday intends to expand the use of Pfizer's drug Paxlovid. The FDA said pharmacists can start screening patients for eligibility.

www.whas11.com

I never realized pharmacists can prescribe anything. Is this a new thing just for this pill?

 

[ilovewings]

Pharmacists can now prescribe Pfizer's COVID-19 pill

The new policy announced Wednesday intends to expand the use of Pfizer's drug Paxlovid. The FDA said pharmacists can start screening patients for eligibility.

www.whas11.com

I never realized pharmacists can prescribe anything. Is this a new thing just for this pill?

That is awesome and good thing I come to WS, otherwise I would never have known this: it is a great idea so the drug can be administered within the appropriate time frame- without waiting for the doctor, which we know can take much longer time. The upside of this is that the pharmacist will know what medications you take so that he/she can decide if there any contraindications to taking Paxlovid.

 

[Betty P]

In Canada, they’re free for anyone at all pharmacies. They’ll even give you as many kits as you want.

Canadians are so lucky to have a great health care system.

 

[ilovewings]

I just went to my pharmacy where I had to pick up a prescription. I asked someone (don't know if it is the pharmacist), if I had symptoms of Covid, would the pharmacist be able to give me Paxlovid. She said "you need a doctor's prescription"-- now the article that was linked stated that pharmacists could prescribe Covid- so is there confusion about this?

 

[Sundog]

Pharmacists can now prescribe Pfizer's COVID-19 pill

The new policy announced Wednesday intends to expand the use of Pfizer's drug Paxlovid. The FDA said pharmacists can start screening patients for eligibility.

www.whas11.com

I never realized pharmacists can prescribe anything. Is this a new thing just for this pill?

The drugs that pharmacists are authorized to prescribe vary by state. Seems to me that plaxovid for Covid is similar to tamiflu for the flu, which pharmacists can already prescribe in Ohio. As long as diagnostic tests are done to indicate the drug is needed. Also, if you run out of certain medications and can't get them refilled on time, often the pharmacist can prescribe the drug for a few days until you can get a renewed prescription from your physician.

 

[Sundog]

I just went to my pharmacy where I had to pick up a prescription. I asked someone (don't know if it is the pharmacist), if I had symptoms of Covid, would the pharmacist be able to give me Paxlovid. She said "you need a doctor's prescription"-- now the article that was linked stated that pharmacists could prescribe Covid- so is there confusion about this?

It sounds like the authorization was just given yesterday by the federal government. Technicians, etc. who work in pharmacies might not yet be aware of the new authorizaiton. I always ask to speak to the pharmacist herself. You can do this over the phone to get information. Just call the pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist. S/he will be aware of the new law, but may still be trying to work out the specifics.

 

[ilovewings]

It sounds like the authorization was just given yesterday by the federal government. Technicians, etc. who work in pharmacies might not yet be aware of the new authorizaiton. I always ask to speak to the pharmacist herself. You can do this over the phone to get information. Just call the pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist. S/he will be aware of the new law, but may still be trying to work out the specifics.

I just called my Rite Aid pharmacy and the tech spoke with the pharmacist who clearly told him their pharmacy requires a prescription from the physician.

 

[Sundog]

I just went to my pharmacy where I had to pick up a prescription. I asked someone (don't know if it is the pharmacist), if I had symptoms of Covid, would the pharmacist be able to give me Paxlovid. She said "you need a doctor's prescription"-- now the article that was linked stated that pharmacists could prescribe Covid- so is there confusion about this?

I think the protocol will require that you take a PCR test at the pharmacy and then if the results are positive, the pharmacist will be able to prescribe paxlovid.

 

[Sundog]

I just called my Rite Aid pharmacy and the tech spoke with the pharmacist who clearly told him their pharmacy requires a prescription from the physician.

Hmmm . . . I wonder if pharmacies have the option of prescribing it or not...

 

[anneg]

I just went to my pharmacy where I had to pick up a prescription. I asked someone (don't know if it is the pharmacist), if I had symptoms of Covid, would the pharmacist be able to give me Paxlovid. She said "you need a doctor's prescription"-- now the article that was linked stated that pharmacists could prescribe Covid- so is there confusion about this?

Here is the announcement from the FDA:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Pharmacists to Prescribe Paxlovid with Certain Limitations

For Immediate Release:July 06, 2022

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised the Emergency Use Authorization(EUA) for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment and prescribing of Paxlovid.

“The FDA recognizes the important role pharmacists have played and continue to play in combatting this pandemic,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Since Paxlovid must be taken within five days after symptoms begin, authorizing state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid could expand access to timely treatment for some patients who are eligible to receive this drug for the treatment of COVID-19.”

When testing positive for COVID-19, patients should first consider seeking care from their regular health care provider or locating a Test-to-Treat site in their area. While this action allows state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid with certain limitations as described below, community pharmacies not already participating as a Test-to-Treat site can decide if or how they will offer this service to patients.

Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are seeking to determine their eligibility for receiving Paxlovid at locations where prescribing by state-licensed pharmacists is available should bring the following information to ensure that the state-licensed pharmacist has sufficient information to determine their eligibility to receive Paxlovid:

• Electronic or printed health records less than 12 months old, including the most recent reports of laboratory blood work for the state-licensed pharmacist to review for kidney or liver problems. State-licensed pharmacists could also receive this information through a consult with the patient’s health care provider.
• A list of all medications they are taking, including over-the-counter medications so the state-licensed pharmacist can screen for drugs with potentially serious interactions with Paxlovid.

Under the limitations outlined in the authorization, the state-licensed pharmacist should refer patients for clinical evaluation with a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs, if any of the following apply:

• Sufficient information is not available to assess renal and hepatic function.
• Sufficient information is not available to assess for a potential drug interaction.
• Modification of other medications is needed due to a potential drug interaction.
• Paxlovid is not an appropriate therapeutic option based on the current Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers or due to potential drug interactions for which recommended monitoring would not be feasible.

Paxlovid is authorized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms or about 88 pounds) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Patients in the authorized population who report a positive home test result from a rapid antigen diagnostic test, or a positive PCR test, to their provider are eligible for Paxlovid under the EUA. Confirmation of a positive home rapid antigen diagnostic test with additional direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, such as a PCR, is not required. Antibody tests are not considered to be direct SARS-CoV-2 viral tests.

 

[anneg]

Hmmm . . . I wonder if pharmacies have the option of prescribing it or not...

from the FDA announcement:
When testing positive for COVID-19, patients should first consider seeking care from their regular health care provider or locating a Test-to-Treat site in their area. While this action allows state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid with certain limitations as described below, community pharmacies not already participating as a Test-to-Treat site can decide if or how they will offer this service to patients.

 

[Sundog]

from the FDA announcement:
When testing positive for COVID-19, patients should first consider seeking care from their regular health care provider or locating a Test-to-Treat site in their area. While this action allows state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid with certain limitations as described below, community pharmacies not already participating as a Test-to-Treat site can decide if or how they will offer this service to patients.

Thanks for this information!

Sounds like pharmacies have the option to offer to do this or not. If they haven't been selected in the past to serve as a test-to-treat federal site, then they have to decide if they want to opt in now, I guess. Perhaps it will take time for some pharmacy companies to make a decision and review the new guidelines.

I just checked for my zip code on where the closest test-to-treat site is near my residence, and it looks like our local Kroger clinic is a test-to-treat center. Many super-Kroger grocery stores have incorporated The Little Clinic urgent care in their facilities. Good to know that they are a test-to-treat site.

 

[MimosaMornings]

COVID-19 Public Therapeutic Locator

Locations of publicly available COVID-19 Therapeutics. Dataset only includes locations for Evusheld (monoclonal antibody), Molnupiravir (antiviral), and Paxlovid (Antiviral). COVID-19 therapeutics require a prescription to obtain.

healthdata.gov

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Thank you Ms Pirate, he is out of bed and eating ok. I made the decision that he needed fresh air in the garden yesterday as his cough was awful and he said his breathing felt a bit laboured, but we are still trying to be careful. My philosophy with this thing is we need to do whatever an individual needs to get them through it. We don’t get anything like Paxlovid here on request, you have to meet v specific criteria, so to a certain extent we rely on caring for each other and nature! And lemon and honey obvs. His oxygen is 97 which reassures me.

Just checking in, @HongKongPhooey. How is Mr. HKP? I hope he is making some progress towards feeling better.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Just checking in, @HongKongPhooey. How is Mr. HKP? I hope he is making some progress towards feeling better.

Thank you he seems better again today. Cough is easing up and he is more himself. Still symptom free myself.

 

[anneg]

Thank you he seems better again today. Cough is easing up and he is more himself. Still symptom free myself.

Happy to hear that! I hope you stay symptom free.

 

[Lilibet]

It sounds like the authorization was just given yesterday by the federal government. Technicians, etc. who work in pharmacies might not yet be aware of the new authorizaiton. I always ask to speak to the pharmacist herself. You can do this over the phone to get information. Just call the pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist. S/he will be aware of the new law, but may still be trying to work out the specifics.

We’ve had test to treat in Oregon since April, HOWEVER, the sites are few and far between and not in my area in Southern Oregon. This link also describes how to use the federal program, but only one site in Oregon showed up, in a remote area. So I don’t think it’s widely available yet. The federal link for our area only shows pharmacies that have the antivirals available.

COVID-19 treatments Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) available to eligible patients : Oregon Health News

Available in Spanish. Updated 06/23/2022: A new T2T site was added in Ontario, OR. Previous updates: Molnupiravir’s trade name is Lagevrio. Address, phone number and accessibility information…

covidblog.oregon.gov