More than 1 million prescriptions for the COVID-19 antiviral pills Lagevrio and Paxlovid were dispensed between late December 2021 and May 2022, but dispensing rates were lowest in the most socially and economically disadvantaged communities, according to a study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a separate study of electronic health records from Kaiser Permanente Southern California over the period, fewer than 1% of patients aged 12 and older who received Paxlovid to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 had a COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency department visit in the next five to 15 days. CDC said the studies “highlight the importance of ensuring access to oral antiviral medicine in treating COVID-19, a key strategy in preventing hospitalization and death.”

Related News Articles

Headline
In this conversation, Jennifer Richards, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Center for Indigenous Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and…
Headline
Registration is now open for AHA's 2025 Accelerating Health Equity Conference, May 19-22 in Atlanta, with an early-bird discount period through March 31. Join…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 12 released a report on rural and urban disparities in care for Medicare beneficiaries. The report…
Headline
AHA's latest social media toolkit for encouraging vaccination against the flu and COVID-19 provides fall-themed social media posts and graphics. Download the…
Headline
The AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity will host its next Health Equity Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p…
Headline
AHA Trustee Services’ latest Boardroom Brief discusses how board members should know the societal factors that influence the health and well-being of the…