Just lately contaminated Los Angeles County residents will have the ability to get free anti-COVID-19 drugs from particular CVS places as a part of the “check to deal with” program introduced by President Joe Biden.

The federal program launched final week permits residents to stroll into native pharmacies and clinics to get examined and handled on the identical go to, on the similar location — if they’re constructive for the virus and the on-site well being care supplier says that the therapy is required.

Additionally, individuals who have already been examined elsewhere can simply present up on the designated pharmacies with their constructive check outcomes and get the oral antiviral treatment if the supplier there recommends it.

In L.A. County, 20 CVS Minute Clinics are providing the free anti-COVID-19 drugs as a part of this system’s first wave.

They embody places in Torrance, Downey, Marina Del Rey, Lengthy Seashore, Pomona, Manhattan Seashore, Santa Monica, Woodland Hills, Westwood and West Hollywood. A full record may be discovered right here.

COVID-19 drugs obtainable embody Pfizer’s Paxlovid capsule, which may be given to everybody 12 and older weighing a minimum of 88 kilos. Additionally obtainable is Merck’s Molnupiravir, which may solely be given to adults 18 and older and isn’t really useful to be used throughout being pregnant.

The Meals and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorizations for each these medicines.

Remedy is finest given as quickly as attainable and should start inside 5 days of the signs beginning, L.A. County Well being Director Barbara Ferrer mentioned.

As a result of most therapeutics are in restricted provide, they’re meant for people who find themselves at elevated threat for extreme COVID-19 sickness, hospitalization and dying. All obtainable remedies must be prescribed by a well being care supplier.

Ferrer mentioned there’s been low demand for COVID-19 remedies in some elements of the county and officers are fearful individuals don’t know they’ll get the medicines.

“We’re involved that residents could also be confused about what medicines can be found and how you can entry these medicine,” Ferrer mentioned in a briefing final week.

Nonetheless, even whereas provides stay low, extra residents have been getting the remedies by way of pharmacies, companions and suppliers.

Up to now, L.A. County has distributed 20,960 doses of Paxlovid and 39,764 doses of Molnupiravir, officers mentioned.

“In the event you assume chances are you’ll be a candidate for one in all these remedies, please ask your supplier if you happen to’re eligible,” Ferrer mentioned. “In the event you don’t have a supplier request an appointment from a clinic that’s the community of suppliers which can be providing these therapeutics.”

L.A. County Well being Division mentioned the “check to deal with” program will later be expanded to incorporate extra pharmacies and medical websites within the hardest hit communities.

The well being division will quickly be launching a pilot undertaking geared toward offering a telehealth possibility for sufferers who’re unable to entry care or are uninsured.

These testing constructive at chosen testing websites in underserved communities will likely be linked to a telehealth possibility and, if eligible, will likely be shipped medicines for gratis, officers mentioned.

Those that need entry to the medicines or have questions on which therapy to take ought to contact their medical supplier or name the COVID-19 data line at 833-540-0473.