FDA authorizes pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid for certain patients

The US Food and Drug Administration revised the  Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) for the treatment of COVID-19, to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment and prescribing of Paxlovid.

Developed and marketed by US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), the antiviral generated first quarter 2022 sales of $1.5 billion. Along with its 2021 financial results, Pfizer said it anticipated full-year 2022 sales of $22 billion for Paxlovid. Pfizer’s shares gained more than 2% to $52.75 following the announcement yesterday, reflecting the view that pharmacist prescribing would increase sales.

Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are seeking to determine their eligibility for receiving Paxlovid at locations where prescribing by state-licensed pharmacists is available should bring the following information to ensure that the state-licensed pharmacist has sufficient information to determine their eligibility to receive Paxlovid: