ASPR sending COVID-19 antiviral pills to certain clinics, long-term care facilities

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response yesterday began distributing two COVID-19 antiviral pills directly to certain pharmacy-based clinics, federal health centers and long-term care facilities so their clinicians can prescribe them to eligible patients or residents who test positive for the virus. The agency plans in mid-March to launch a website listing facilities in the Test to Treat program, which it said will not impact state and territorial allocations of the Pfizer and Merck pills, authorized for emergency use to prevent severe illness and hospitalization when taken soon after symptom onset.