Communications

(Oct. 20, 2023) – This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced HHS and Pfizer have reached an agreement extending patient access to Paxlovid as Pfizer begins Paxlovid's transition to the commercial market next month. Individuals on Medicare, Medicaid and the uninsured will continue to be able to access HHS-procured Paxlovid, for free, through the end of 2024 via a patient assistance program. From 2025-2028, Pfizer will continue to run a patient assistance program for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured with HHS-procured Paxlovid. In parallel, Pfizer will operate a copay assistance program for individuals with commercial insurance through 2028. Up-to-date products will be refreshed from Pfizer through 2028, ensuring that the HHS inventory of Paxlovid will not expire and will include all new formulations of Paxlovid authorized or approved for use in the US. Pfizer will provide HHS with a stockpile of an additional one million treatment courses to ensure preparedness for future COVID-19 surges. HHS stated that the agency will ensure a smooth and predictable transition to the commercial market over the next few months. During this transition to commercial distribution, Paxlovid will remain available for ordering from HHS through Dec. 15, 2023.

HHS announced at the end of September that the agency anticipates the transition of Lagevrio from government-managed distribution to traditional commercial distribution will occur in November as well. Earlier this month, HHS moved away from its threshold/replenishment process to a request-based approach for Lagevrio. HHS is working with partners to ensure that people who are uninsured or underinsured continue to have access. The Merck Patient Assistance Program intends to provide Lagevrio free of charge to eligible patients who, without assistance, could not otherwise afford the product.
--Karen Braman