FILE - Doses of the anti-viral drug Paxlovid are displayed in New York, Aug. 1, 2022. from the federal government will enter the private market next week with a hefty price tag.
Millions of free, taxpayer-funded courses of the pills will remain at pharmacies, hospitals and doctor's offices across the country, U.S. Health and Human Services officials said Friday. People on private insurance may start to notice copays for the treatments once their pharmacy or doctor's office runs out of the COVID-19 treatments they received from the government.
Suppliers to pharmacies, doctor's offices and hospitals can begin ordering the treatments from the drug companies starting next week. Paxlovid has been used to treat COVID-19 since 2021, but the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval earlier this year for it to be used on adults with coronavirus who face high risks of hospitalization or death. That group typically includes older adults and those with medical conditions like diabetes, asthma and obesity.