Area pharmacies have no-cost COVID anti-viral meds

    Antiviral medication to treat COVID-19 is available at no cost at several pharmacies in the SW Nebraska Health District.
    Local healthcare providers may prescribe these antivirals for adults who are at risk of more severe illness from COVID-19.
     “We have a multitude of unused doses of these antivirals for the general public in our area,” said Myra Stoney, health director for SWNPHD.
    “This medication must be started within 5 days of symptoms starting and is free to the patient. We encourage residents to check with their healthcare provider about receiving this treatment to reduce the risk of severe disease from COVID-19,” she said.
     The antiviral available is Molnupiravir, which is produced by Merck and has been given emergency use authorization by the FDA. Molnupiravir may only be used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults that meet the following criteria:
    Have a positive COVID-19 test.
    Are at high-risk for becoming severely ill due to COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
    Alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
    Molnupiravir is not authorized for use in individuals who are less than 18 years of age.
     At this time, Stoney said prescriptions for this medication may be filled at the following pharmacies:
    Adams Drug, Imperial
    Mark’s Pharmacy, Cambridge
    U-Save, Ogallala and McCook
    Farrell’s Pharmacy, McCook      
    Benkelman Pharmacy, Benkelman
     For long-term care and assisted living residents, the Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Assessment and Promotion Program has streamlined the process of ordering COVID-19 antivirals, Stoney said.
    When a resident tests positive, the facility submits their information to ASAP for review by an ASAP pharmacist. Then the facility sends the order to the pharmacy which is processed through ASAP’s stockpile and sent to the facility for administration at no charge to the patient. This process is usually completed within 24 hours.