How Much Does COVID Antiviral Pill Paxlovid Cost With and Without Insurance?

Paxlovid is currently being used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19. According to the U.S. Department of health, Paxlovid distribution is still being managed by the federal government and should be prescribed at no cost to individuals with or without insurance. There is plan in place, however, to end this program by the end of the year. Paxlovid is a combination of nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets developed and manufactured by Pzifer.

Although the FDA recently authorized pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid without a prior prescription, the majority of pharmacies still require a prescription to dispense Paxlovid. 

According to Pfizer's recent press release on October 13, 2023, it will price Paxlovid at $1,390 per course of treatment. Notice this is the MSRP, insurance and government programs will pay much less than that. 

New JN.1 COVID variants

Rapid Spread and Evolution: JN.1, a descendant of the Omicron variant BA.2.86, has shown a remarkable ability to evolve and spread rapidly within the United States. Initially documented in September, its prevalence surged from 3.5% of COVID cases in mid-November to over 21% in December, eventually accounting for an estimated 83% to 88% of all circulating variants by the end of January.

Symptoms and Severity: Preliminary research indicates that JN.1 does not cause more severe disease or symptoms different from those associated with previous strains. The symptoms and severity of COVID-19 generally remain consistent across variants, largely depending on the individual's immunity rather than the specific variant.

Protection Measures: Updated COVID-19 vaccines, available to everyone ages 6 months and older, are expected to offer increased protection against JN.1. COVID tests should be able to detect JN.1 and other strains, with antiviral treatments remaining effective. The CDC emphasizes the importance of vaccination and other protective efforts to combat the spread of this variant.

Paxlovid Availability

Recent Updates: On October 13, 2023, an agreement was reached between HHS and Pfizer to increase patient access to Paxlovid. The FDA had earlier approved Paxlovid as the first oral antiviral for adult COVID-19 treatment on May 25, 2023.

Dosage Information: Paxlovid is available in two dosages. The standard dose consists of 300 mg nirmatrelvir with 100 mg ritonavir, taken twice daily for 5 days. A reduced dose is available for individuals with moderate renal impairment, while it's not recommended for those with severe renal impairment.

Availability and Distribution: Since December 2021, Paxlovid has been distributed for free by the U.S. government through various health entities. Starting November 2023, the U.S. government will transition to traditional commercial distribution of Paxlovid. Efforts are underway to ensure affordable access, especially for public program beneficiaries and the uninsured, and to transition smoothly to the commercial market without wastage.