NYC First to Offer Paxlovid at COVID Testing Sites – Consumer Health News

FRIDAY, July 1, 2022 (HealthDay News) — New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday that town has launched the primary-of-their-type cell COVID-19 testing items that may also dispense the antiviral drug Paxlovid to those that check optimistic for the virus.

The “Test-to-Treat” program is a part of federal and metropolis efforts to catch and deal with infections early and be prepared for brand spanking new waves of the pandemic. Health officers additionally need to develop entry to Paxlovid, particularly for individuals who haven’t got an everyday physician or insurance coverage, the New York Times reported.

“New York City could have been at the epicenter of the pandemic at the beginning, however now we’re main the way in which in prevention and mitigation,” Adams stated in his announcement. “By getting lifesaving drugs into the arms of New Yorkers minutes after they check optimistic, we’re as soon as once more main the nation to rapidly ship accessible care to those that want it.”

Adams, who took workplace in January, examined optimistic for the virus in April and has stated that his an infection was delicate partly as a result of he took Paxlovid.

White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha informed the Times there had been a significant improve in the usage of Paxlovid throughout the nation over the past three months, and that 240,000 new prescriptions have been reported final week, the very best weekly whole to date. But he famous that those that check optimistic in poor communities had not gotten antiviral remedies as typically as folks in rich communities had.

“I like this concept,” Jha stated of the New York City program. “You can go to folks the place they’re. I anticipate this to go very nicely, and it is going to be an incredible mannequin for the remainder of the nation to comply with.”

Paxlovid, made by Pfizer Inc., can considerably cut back the severity of COVID-19 an infection when taken early within the an infection. The drug was approved for emergency use late final yr by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The “Test-to-Treat” program was first announced by President Joe Biden in March.

On Thursday, three cell items have been outdoors native drug shops in working-class neighborhoods, the Times reported. The variety of websites will develop to greater than 30 by the top of July.

Dr. Ted Long, govt director of town’s Test & Trace Corps, famous the primary affected person at a brand new cell testing website outdoors a drug retailer within the Inwood part of Manhattan. The lady, who did not have a cellphone, examined optimistic and left the pharmacy with Paxlovid.

“This effort is concentrated on fairness,” Long informed the Times.

Dr. Ashwin Vasan, New York City’s well being commissioner, informed the Times that loads of Paxlovid is accessible for New Yorkers who want it.

“Now we’re type of awash in Paxlovid,” Vasan stated.

More data

Yale Medicine has extra on Paxlovid.

SOURCE: New York Times