As the pandemic moves into its third year, there is every indication that COVID-19 will remain a major part of the health care landscape for the foreseeable future. The pharmaceutical industry, under the guidance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been working to develop, test and distribute drug therapies as quickly and safely as possible.
COVID-19 Supplement: Oral Antiviral Medications
Learn about the new COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments and their impact on workers' comp.
The first two oral antiviral medications received EUAs in late 2021, which means we are now seeing therapies come to market that are available to compensable work-related COVID-19 cases in a retail pharmacy setting.
Our clinical team has developed a new supplement to provide an overview of these treatments — molnupiravir and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) — and their potential impact on workers’ compensation pharmacy.
Both medications are available by prescription only and should be initiated soon after diagnosis of COVID-19. They are not authorized for the pre-exposure or post-exposure prevention of COVID-19 or for initiation of treatment in those requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19. In addition, they should not be seen as a vaccine substitute or replacement.
For additional information regarding, download our COVID-19 position paper regarding vaccination, treatment and coverage under workers’ compensation. Our clinical team is available to answer questions regarding our COVID-19 position paper and emerging oral antiviral medications supplement.