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Secretary Becerra highlighted the importance of access to COVID-19 therapeutics and reiterated HHS’ commitment to partnering with pharmacies and insurers to better serve the American people.
On Tuesday, January 9, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra met virtually with pharmacy leaders, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurers to discuss HHS’ continued commitment and partnership to increase equitable access to COVID-19 therapeutics.
During the call, Secretary Becerra reminded participants that no patient should be forced to pay the full out-of-pocket cost to access Paxlovid and asked that stakeholders immediately alert HHS of any issues that arise regarding COVID-19 therapeutics access. Secretary Becerra reiterated HHS’ commitment to ensuring smooth access to oral antivirals for COVID-19 and encouraged all providers to ensure patients who experience issues accessing Paxlovid or Lagevrio are directed to the designated patient assistance programs available for both antivirals. Finally, he highlighted the importance of continued provider ordering of commercially available oral antivirals and provider education.
The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic progress in our nation’s ability to manage COVID-19 so that it no longer meaningfully disrupts the way we live our lives. For the first time, vaccines are available to protect older adults in the United States against all three winter respiratory illnesses – COVID-19, flu, and RSV – and there are millions of courses of free USG Paxlovid at provider sites across the country available by the federal government. Free COVID-19 tests are also available at COVIDTest.gov.
Today’s call is part of a series of recent actions HHS has taken to maintain broad access to oral antivirals for COVID-19 as part of the transition to the commercial market:
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For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.