FDA Authorizes Pharmacists to Prescribe Pfizer Medication Paxlovid to Treat COVID-19

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer’s Paxlovid to authorize pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients. Previously only physicians could prescribe the drug.

Paxlovid is authorized for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and patients 12 years of age and older, who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Patients in the authorized population who report a positive home test result from a rapid antigen diagnostic test or a positive PCR test to their provider are eligible for Paxlovid under the EUA.

“The FDA recognizes the important role pharmacists have played and continue to play in combating this pandemic,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Since Paxlovid must be taken within five days after symptoms begin, authorizing state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid could expand access to timely treatment for some patients who are eligible to receive this drug for the treatment of COVID-19.”