Administration officials say the drug has been underused in the fight against the pandemic.
Officials said that because the drug has been underused in the fight against the pandemic, the federal government will double the number of locations where Paxlovid is available. The locations will include 40,000 pharmacies, community health centers, hospitals, urgent care centers and Veterans Affairs clinics.
So far about 500,000 courses of the treatment have been given to patients, with the number of weekly prescriptions being given having doubled since last month, to 55,000 a week, the senior administration official said. Still, more patients could be benefiting from the treatment, the official added.
The Biden administration has been investing heavily in Paxlovid, which costs $530 for a five-day treatment. To ensure that people have free access to the drug, President Joe Biden announced in November that the U.S. would spend $5.29 billion to buy enough pills to treat 10 million people. In January, Biden said the government would double its order.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
White House working to make Pfizer's Covid-19 antiviral pill more 'widely available'The Biden administration is set to unveil new details and announcements Monday on Paxlovid, Pfizer's antiviral Covid-19 pill, a White House official tells CNN.
Read more »
White House urges more funding for COVID treatmentsThe Senate last month closed in on smaller $10 billion package focused on domestic needs. But even that deal fell apart as lawmakers objected to an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control…
Read more »
White House: Without funding US will lose COVID treatmentsAfter two years at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, the U.S. could soon have to begin taking a number.
Read more »
Dr. Birx publishes book on tackling COVID pandemic inside Trump's White HouseShe described her response to the moment Trump raised the possibility of injecting disinfectant into people to treat COVID-19.
Read more »
White House says without needed funding, US will lose COVID-19 treatmentsSenate Republicans are demanding that as part of a deal with Democrats, that side must agree to extend pandemic-related, Trump-era border restrictions.
Read more »
Dr. Birx publishes book on tackling COVID pandemic inside Trump's White HouseShe described her response to the moment Trump raised the possibility of injecting disinfectant into people to treat COVID-19.
Read more »