Test to Treat for Paxlovid

Pharmacists are now permitted to order and prescribe the oral antiviral, Paxlovid, under certain conditions, for eligible patients who test positive for COVID-19. FDA recently recognized pharmacists’ expertise by revising Paxlovid’s EUA to include pharmacists among other health care professionals permitted to prescribe this therapeutic medication.

More information about implementing testing and treatment services is provided below.

Pharmacist Decision Making Support Tool

An algorithm designed to help pharmacists assess whether a patient is eligible to receive Paxlovid following a positive COVID-19 test. Download this clinical decision making tool to determine if a prescription for Paxlovid is appropriate.

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Questions about prescribing Paxlovid?

APhA has answered frequently asked questions about Paxlovid, including questions about authority, documentation, and billing.

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APhA Training and Important Resources

Oral Antivirals for COVID-19: Practical Considerations for Patient Selection, Evaluation for Safe Use, Monitoring and Referral
One-hour interactive, application-based case-study program that provides additional information about patient identification for use of Paxlovid, managing drug–drug interactions and when to refer patients to their primary care provider for additional follow-up. (CPE Available)
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid): Oral Antiviral
One-hour, knowledge-based program that discusses eligibility requirements, mechanism of action, efficacy and safety data and drug–drug interactions. See prior program for the most up to date treatment guidelines. (CPE Available)
COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment: Considerations for therapy (July 1, 2022)
FAQ that compares COVID-19 oral antivirals, Paxlovid and molnupiravir, outlines place in therapy, and reviews other key clinical information. (Know the Facts – PDF)
Pharmacy Models For COVID-19 Testing (July 29, 2020)
Step-by-step overview of two pharmacy COVID-19 testing models and associated payment opportunities. (APhA Know the Facts – PDF)
COVID-19 Testing Basics (October 30, 2020)
FAQ on the basics of COVID-19 tests, including molecular, antigen and antibody tests as well as testing activities and understanding test performance when counseling patients. (APhA Know the Facts – PDF)

Information from FDA

Additional Resources

APhA Advocacy

APhA continues to advocate that CMS and other payers take immediate action to provide adequate and appropriate payment for pharmacist test to treat services.

FDA permits pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to treat COVID-19 (July 6, 2022)
APhA's Letter to the FDA Regarding Pharmacists Prescribing Oral COVID-19 Treatments (June 2022)
Inequity to COVID-19 Test to Treat Access (May 2022)
APhA’s analysis of COVID-19 Test to Treat locations, as of May 6, 2022, demonstrates that underserved and vulnerable communities do not have equitable access to care in the current program.
FDA’s Decision to Block Pharmacists from Ordering COVID-19 Oral Antivirals Will Hurt COVID Positive Patients, National Pharmacy Groups Warn (December 2021)
Joint letter to the National Governors Association on action needed to ensure patients have access to Covid-19 oral therapeutics (December 2021)
Pharmacy Proposal for Oral Antivirals (November 2021)

Act now: Tell Congress payment for pharmacist prescribing of Paxlovid is critical

Pharmacists now have the authority to prescribe Paxlovid for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 disease under certain conditions. While updating the emergency use authorization (EUA) was a huge step forward, there is no current federal policy providing coverage for the associated clinical services required for pharmacist prescribing.

Use our prewritten, editable advocacy alert to ask your U.S. representatives to contact HHS and CMS to identify a payment pathway to reimburse pharmacists for their prescription of Paxlovid.

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