#Paxlovid

[thoughtportal]

Opinion Here’s how to get free Paxlovid as many times as you need it

When the public health emergency around covid-19 ended, vaccines and treatments became commercial products, meaning companies could charge for them as they do other pharmaceuticals. Paxlovid, the highly effective antiviral pill that can prevent covid from becoming severe, now has a list price of nearly $1,400 for a five-day treatment course.

Thanks to an innovative agreement between the Biden administration and the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, Americans can still access the medication free or at very low cost through a program called Paxcess. The problem is that too few people — including pharmacists — are aware of it.

I learned of Paxcess only after readers wrote that pharmacies were charging them hundreds of dollars — or even the full list price — to fill their Paxlovid prescription. This shouldn’t be happening. A representative from Pfizer, which runs the program, explained to me that patients on Medicare and Medicaid or who are uninsured should get free Paxlovid. They need to sign up by going to paxlovid.iassist.com or by calling 877-219-7225. “We wanted to make enrollment as easy and as quick as possible,” the representative said.

Indeed, the process is straightforward. I clicked through the web form myself, and there are only three sets of information required. Patients first enter their name, date of birth and address. They then input their prescriber’s name and address and select their insurance type.

All this should take less than five minutes and can be done at home or at the pharmacy. A physician or pharmacist can fill it out on behalf of the patient, too. Importantly, this form does not ask for medical history, proof of a positive coronavirus test, income verification, citizenship status or other potentially sensitive and time-consuming information.

But there is one key requirement people need to be aware of: Patients must have a prescription for Paxlovid to start the enrollment process. It is not possible to pre-enroll. (Though, in a sense, people on Medicare or Medicaid are already pre-enrolled.)

Once the questionnaire is complete, the website generates a voucher within seconds. People can print it or email it themselves, and then they can exchange it for a free course of Paxlovid at most pharmacies.

Pfizer’s representative tells me that more than 57,000 pharmacies are contracted to participate in this program, including major chain drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens and large retail chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Costco. For those unable to go in person, a mail-order option is available, too.

The program works a little differently for patients with commercial insurance. Some insurance plans already cover Paxlovid without a co-pay. Anyone who is told there will be a charge should sign up for Paxcess, which would further bring down their co-pay and might even cover the entire cost.

Several readers have attested that Paxcess’s process was fast and seamless. I was also glad to learn that there is basically no limit to the number of times someone could use it. A person who contracts the coronavirus three times in a year could access Paxlovid free or at low cost each time.

Unfortunately, readers informed me of one major glitch: Though the Paxcess voucher is honored when presented, some pharmacies are not offering the program proactively. As a result, many patients are still being charged high co-pays even if they could have gotten the medication at no cost.

This is incredibly frustrating. However, after interviewing multiple people involved in the process, including representatives of major pharmacy chains and Biden administration officials, I believe everyone is sincere in trying to make things right. As we saw in the early days of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, it’s hard to get a new program off the ground. Policies that look good on paper run into multiple barriers during implementation.

Those involved are actively identifying and addressing these problems. For instance, a Walgreens representative explained to me that in addition to educating pharmacists and pharmacy techs about the program, the company learned it also had to make system changes to account for a different workflow. Normally, when pharmacists process a prescription, they inform patients of the co-pay and dispense the medication. But with Paxlovid, the system needs to stop them if there is a co-pay, so they can prompt patients to sign up for Paxcess.

Here is where patients and consumers must take a proactive role. That might not feel fair; after all, if someone is ill, people expect that the system will work to help them. But that’s not our reality. While pharmacies work to fix their system glitches, patients need to be their own best advocates. That means signing up for Paxcess as soon as they receive a Paxlovid prescription and helping spread the word so that others can get the antiviral at little or no cost, too.

{source}

[meeedeee]

https://wapo.st/49z3ocf

If you live in the United States, and have Medicare, Medicaid or no insurance you can get Paxlovid easily and for free for as many times as you need it. There is a new program called Pax Access

Even if you have health care insurance that will charge you a copay, you can use this program as well

All you need is a prescription. No proof of a positive COVID test, no health questionnaire and once you sign up you can take the coupon to your pharmacy immediately

Gift article, no paywall

https://wapo.st/49z3ocf

[liminalweirdo]

transcript:

"So I'm just getting over my first covid infection, and this is a PSA to fucking get paxlovid. I managed to get it within the first 24 hours of having symptoms, and I went from feeling like I got hit by a truck to practically having no symptoms within four days. Since nobody fucking masks anymore, but you should, I think it's important to have a plan for what you will do when you inevitably get covid, and try to reduce the impact that will have on you and your health.

Paxlovid not only reduces the symptoms that you have from covid, but also reduces the chance of developing long-covid after infection.

If you don't have a plan for how you will get paxlovid if you get infected with covid, send your doctor a message right now and ask "What would be the quickest and most effective way for me to get paxlovid if I get a covid infection."

It does have a lot of medications that it can't be taken with, so keep an eye out for that, you might not be able to take it. But cases are up significantly right now, and it's important to have a plan of what you will do to take care of yourself, if you get infected.

Also, take care of yourself and your community by masking, please." [end transcript]

❗️please read❗️ i should mention its still regulated to just be prescribed for “high risk” patients, but in the words of my doctor “thats stupid, everyone should have it”. So just keep that in mind when trying to get it. My doctor asked if ive ever had anxiety or depression, i said yes, and that was enough to get it. It was $6 with my insurance, but that will of course vary person to person. Repeat infections lead to higher chances of long covid, so having tools to resuce that chance is crurial to navigating this mass disabling event. Also take it with food, or the taste it leaves in your mouth will be even worse.

source, spencer_sunboy on tiktok

[sanguinarysanguinity]

For U.S. residents who are on Medicare, Medicaid, or are uninsured, and who have been prescribed the antiviral Paxlovid (used to reduce the severity of COVID19), the medication is free through Pfizer's patient assistance program. People who have private insurance might also be able to use the link reduce their co-pay.

(Or if you prefer the phone to a website, you can call 877-219-7225 to sign up.)

The list price for Paxlovid is $1400 for the five-day course, and now that the federal government is no longer providing the medication for free, some people are being told by pharmacies that they have to pay list price (because they are uninsured, or because the medicine is not covered on their insurance). If that's you -- or if your co-pay is steeper than you can afford -- please check out the patient assistance program above!

(Hat tip to Dr. Leana S. Wen at the Washington Post, who talked about the program in her latest column.)

[gumjrop]

Masking and Protests

In a win for community care,masks are being used broadly at recent protests on college campuses across the country, making these protests more accessible as well as showing solidarity with disabled communities. Some college campuses have attempted to ban or discourage masking at protests. University of Texas at Austin’s Provost issued a statement including a rule banning masks, and University of North Carolina’s Provost asked protestors not to mask, citing a state law from 1953 enacted in response to the KKK. Notably, the North Carolina mask law contains an amendment, introduced in 2020, to allow masking “to ensure the physical health or safety of the wearer or others” (see PDF link to the amendment).

Masking at protests must be allowed to make protests accessible for disabled and immunocompromised people, and safer for everyone. COVID and other infectious diseases can spread both indoors and outdoors, especially in crowded settings. Share our guide to accessible protests on Instagram or Substack, and also check out our statement and call to action on Palestine. Also consider supporting mask distribution efforts such as local mask blocs, which may be seeing increased demand related to protests.

Wins

Remember our allies at the University of California Academic Worker Union from our January 2023 webinar, who fought for COVID safety protections? They're running for office this week on the executive board of UAW local 4811.  Check out their slate—which includes disability justice and COVID protections—and learn how to vote here.

The Weather

The CDC’s reported COVID wastewater levels by state show “Low” or “Minimal” wastewater levels across all reporting states and territories as of April 25, with no data available from North Dakota, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Wastewater levels across all four regions are at lower levels than this year’s fall-winter peaks, with all regions showing either a slowing of the rate of decrease or a leveling off. You can still be infected during times of lower wastewater COVID levels. Precautions including consistent masking in all public spaces are still necessary in our daily lives to reduce the risk of infection, to prevent Long COVID, and to practice community care.

Variants

The CDC’s variant tracking has been updated and now shows many JN.1 sublineages, including KP.2, JN.1.7, and JN.1.13.1. Regional variant NowCast predictions are not available as of April 26 for any US region.

COVID Treatment

With the end of the national Test to Treat program in mid-April, we have lost an important route for affordable and convenient access to Paxlovid. Still, Paxlovid continues to be an important treatment to prevent the development of severe COVID. A few important facts about Paxlovid eligibility that people may not be aware of:

Paxlovid can be started within 5-7 days of the start of COVID symptoms. Initially, starting within 5 days was the recommendation. The extended window for treatment is particularly important as folks may test positive later in the course of their infection, sometimes a few days after symptoms develop. 

People aged 50 and older are eligible even if they do not have other medical conditions.

Younger people with certain medical conditions may also be eligible for Paxlovid.

The PAXCESS program may provide a Paxlovid discount from the manufacturer and provides free Paxlovid for people who receive Medicare or Medicaid and uninsured people without prescription drug benefits. 

If you are infected with COVID, make sure you also talk with your doctor about over-the-counter medications or supplements you may be taking. Even over-the-counter medications can have significant risks that should be discussed in the context of your individual medical history.

COVID Prevention

An effective multilayered approach to COVID prevention should include proven measures such as masking with high-quality respirators (N95s, KN96s, KF94s or better), improving indoor air quality with ventilation and filtration, physical distancing, getting the latest vaccines, and using COVID tests appropriately. Unproven methods should not be considered part of a multilayered approach. Topical nasal products such as sprays or ointments may seem tempting but are not proven to prevent COVID infections (none are FDA approved for COVID) and may have risks. For example, Vaseline and petrolatum-based ointments can cause pneumonia if applied to the inside of the nose, as they may be subsequently inhaled where they can damage the lungs. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments are intended to protect from bacterial infection in minor skin wounds and should not be used inside the nose. Although early research on other uses has been publicized, given the risks of petrolatum-based ointments if used in the nose, it is important to wait for larger scale studies to understand both potential risks and benefits. Colloidal silver, sometimes touted in nasal spray form, is not proven to treat or prevent any medical condition and can cause permanent gray pigmentation of the skin as well as other serious side effects. Research studies shared in the news or on social media should not be used in place of medical advice from an individual healthcare provider you trust. 

While we expect masking and other multilayered precautions to remain a mainstay of prevention, we hope that further research will lead to FDA-approval/authorization of additional drugs for COVID treatment and prevention in the future.

Measles

Measles outbreaks within the US continue, with the first Wisconsin case being reported. Measles transmits through the air as well as through contact with surfaces, and is highly contagious. Now is a good time to check vaccination records for yourself and your loved ones, get any catch-up vaccinations, and check with your local healthcare provider if you are uncertain about vaccination or immunity status. In some cases, lab testing for measles immunity (antibody titers) can be helpful.

Take Action

Use MaskTogetherAmerica’s letter campaign to ask your elected officials to reinstate the Test to Treat program for free and convenient COVID and influenza testing, telehealth, and treatment access.

Support science-based COVID isolation guidance from the CDC using our letter campaign to contact your elected officials or sign on to our expert letter.

If you know someone who is organizing a protest, share our guide to accessible protests with them, via Instagram or Substack.

[chronicallydragons]

I’ve decided the taste of paxlovid is the taste of 🔥🔥VIRUS DYING🔥🔥 which means THIS IS THE BLOOD OF MY ENEMIES UPON MY TONGUE AS THEY FALL BEFORE MY DEFENSES

(It's so yucky I have to romanticize it somehow)

[porterdavis]

RAMQ to the rescue

I mumbled something about Paxlovid and my girlfriend grabbed me by the ear and marched me to the pharmacy on a Sunday night. Turns out the head guy was working due to staff shortage and the combination of looking at me in my sorry-ass state and getting the full effects of my g/f's charm, after 20 minutes of bureaucracy and paper shuffling I had a five-day course of the stuff --marked down from $1400 to 0. Sweet.

I still feel like crap but I know I have the state of the art medicine coursing through my veins.

[start-anywhere]

[lilithism1848]

[arinrowan]

Paxlovid Warning for Guanfacine

Guanfacine is contraindicated by Paxlovid, and if you take Paxlovid, you shouldn't take Guanfacine for about a week. Any doctor prescribing or the pharmacist administering should warn you in advance, but this post is some alternatives for the people who take it for anxiety or mood reasons based on my own personal experiences and NOT as a medical professional.

If you take Guanfacine to help sleep, I recommend melatonin. If you already take melatonin, try doubling or tripling your dose. If you take ambien, be aware Paxlovid can increase its potency or overdose risk, and try halving or quartering your regular dose.

If you take a benzodiazepine as a rescue med, be aware Paxlovid will increase its potency and overdose risk. Try halving or quartering your regular dose.

If you take marijauna for sleep or anxiety, there's no official medical info on how the drugs interact but be very careful about dosing. Same as above, try quartering or halving your normal dose.

Again, not a medical professional, but figured it might be helpful for people to be aware in advance.

[alessandriana]

Got my paxlovid prescription this morning and I felt about 30% better less than an hour after taking it, so that's awesome. Even the taste isn't particularly bad.

I get the impression that a lot of people don't know who qualifies to get paxlovid. It's not just people 65+. It's anyone who is high risk for progression to severe covid, including those who have or are:

* immune-compromised

* asthma

* obesity (>30 BMI)

* depression or other mental health conditions

* diabetes

* lung disease

* have smoked

* cancer

* cystic fibrosis

* HIV

* physical inactivity

* disabilities (defined at the link)

...and a lot more. There's a complete list of all the conditions CDC considers high risk here:

Highly recommend looking into it if you get covid.

[leafdlc]

i got covid for the first time early last month and it was minor, I thought. the second I tested positive I contacted my doctor and got paxlovid prescribed to me. I picked it up the same day and started taking the twice daily medication that night.

yes, paxlovid can help reduce/minimize long covid symptoms so I thought I would be fine. but to this day I still am only in the begining steps of recovering from the brainfog, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and trouble paying attention for longer periods of time.

it's horrible. it sucks shit. I am constantly missing my exits and turns when I drive, even WITH a navigator on my phone. I stop talking in the middle of sentences bc I forget what I was even talking about in the first place.

the way covid affected my brain makes me feel like I got another concussion, but without the pain or the dizziness or the nausea or any of the typical physical concussion symptoms that come with one.

I constantly see people in all groups all ages not masking over here. or coughing into the open air and sneezing without covering their nose and mouth with their elbow. didn't we learn this in preschool. what's your problem??? if you can do anything to stop or prevent someone else's suffering then why wouldn't you???

[liminalweirdo]

do you ever think about how Olympians — people in arguably the best physical health in the world — have unmitigated access to Paxlovid, but people with multiple disabilities like me "don't qualify."

Because I think about that a lot.

[spooniestrong]

[pandemichub]

More information about Stanford research goals and the RECOVER Program/Initiative:

[noah-liketheboat]

So apparently an uncommon symptom of covid is rash, and it’s mostly seen in young people (of which I am). And boy oh boy am I miserable.

I for real life thought I had scarlet fever bc it’s apparently just strep throat and a strep skin rash and I thought my sore throat was strep. Turns out I have covid and either an unrelated rash or a covid rash??? which is a thing you get????

If the rash isn’t gone by the time I finish the steroids and paxlovid (autoimmune disorder baybeeee) I will probably have to go get it cultured. Luckily it doesn’t look too gnarly except in places where I scratched too hard and my hEDS fragile skin reared its head. But like I’m so fucking uncomfortable and the paxlovid and steroids seem to be doing fuck all for it.

I just put on a fuckton of ✨lavender aspercreme✨ which is just 4% lidocaine. So now I smell aesthetic and feel goopy. But a little less itchy.