Indiana providers prescribing Paxlovid to ‘handful’ of COVID-19 patients

INDIANAPOLIS – Though Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral tablet Paxlovid has been out there since final fall in Indiana, a number of suppliers say they’ve solely prescribed the drug to a small variety of sufferers.

Vice President Kamala Harris is being handled with the drug after testing constructive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

“I believe that we could have distributed 5 – 6, possibly 10 doses of it,” mentioned Dr. Thomas Huth, vp for medical affairs at Reid Well being in Richmond.

That’s largely as a result of Indiana is seeing a a lot decrease unfold of COVID-19 proper now in comparison with different instances in the course of the pandemic.

The tablet is supposed for sufferers with sure threat components for extreme sickness and should be began when a affected person is displaying gentle or reasonable COVID signs, Dr. Huth defined.

“For the proper affected person, it may possibly imply a distinction between having a gentle case and having a extreme sufficient case to should be hospitalized,” he mentioned.

Nonetheless, medical doctors warn Paxlovid isn’t for everybody.

“We’re nonetheless primarily utilizing monoclonal antibody – it’s only a cleaner remedy,” mentioned Dr. Christopher Doehring, vp of medical affairs for Franciscan Well being. “The oral remedy Paxlovid does have lots of drug interplay, has lots of contraindications.”

It “hasn’t been greater than a handful” of sufferers who’ve obtained Paxlovid from Franciscan Well being in Indianapolis, Dr. Doehring added.

Dr. Doehring mentioned well being care services like his are utilizing this time to proceed to construct up their provide of therapeutics.

These might be in increased demand in a while if there’s one other COVID surge, he mentioned.

“We actually can shield the hospitals, the ICUs and hold sufferers at residence recovering,” Dr. Doehring mentioned.

We’ve reached out to the Indiana Division of Well being to be taught extra concerning the state’s provide of Paxlovid and are nonetheless ready to listen to again.

In accordance with the FDA, sufferers want to start out Paxlovid inside the first 5 days of displaying signs. If you happen to get sick and will qualify for the remedy, medical doctors recommend getting examined and asking your doctor concerning the drug as rapidly as doable.