|
November 18, 2024
This past spring, HRSA transitioned the management of the COVID-19 therapeutics program to the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). This bulletin includes important updates regardless of whether your health center participates in ASPR’s program:
-
Participants: ASPR will close ordering from its Lagevrio supply on January 22, 2025. Read more in the section for you.
-
Non-participants: ASPR invites you to join its program to order free COVID-19 therapeutics. Learn what is involved in the section for you.
- Reminder: HRSA-funded health centers may use their base funding to purchase COVID-19 therapeutics as long as it’s within scope. The manufacturers may also offer patient assistance. Visit ASPR’s website to learn more. Other insurance may also cover related costs.
Updates for ASPR COVID-19 Therapeutics Distribution Program participants
In a November 13 email, ASPR announced the final date for ordering Lagevrio (molnupiravir) from the ASPR supply will be 3:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. All Lagevrio distributed through ASPR’s program will expire on or before Thursday, February 27, 2025.
ASPR encourages you to order, before January 22, 2025, Lagevrio you anticipate needing prior to that closing date. ASPR-procured Paxlovid remains available for ordering through 2028 or until the supply is depleted.
Once expired, all Lagevrio must be disposed of to avoid dispensing errors. You can dispose of it on-site in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations or return it to Merck for disposal. For sites that do not have an established returns process, visit www.merckorders.com and select “Return Merchandise” or call the Merck Order Management Center at 800-MERCK-RX (800-637-2579).
You must also report on ASPR-distributed products in the Health Partners Ordering Portal (HPOP) until ALL of the treatment courses you received from ASPR are accounted for as used or wasted.
For additional details, see ASPR’s November 13 email, subject line “COVID-19 Lagevrio – 2025 date set for final orders” from HCORE_Pharmacy@hhs.gov, which ASPR sent to federal contacts who ordered ASPR-procured Lagevrio this year.
Contact COVID19.therapeutics@hhs.gov with questions.
Want to join ASPR’s COVID-19 Therapeutics Distribution Program?
ASPR invites health centers that have not previously participated in the program to join! You’ll be able to order, at no cost, ASPR-procured Lagevrio (for a limited time*) and Paxlovid (through 2028). These ASPR-procured products should be used in accordance with their authorized or approved indications and must be provided at no cost to your patients. Note that ASPR oversees this program; this is not the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program, which concluded in April.
Health centers that would like to join the program should contact HPOPSupport@hhs.gov for onboarding. ASPR’s HPOP team will work with you to establish an HPOP account which you will use to order the free therapeutics. Your health center must report usage, disposal, or wastage of the ASPR-distributed therapeutics you receive until this inventory is zero.
*As explained in the participants section, ASPR will close ordering for Lagevrio on January 22, 2025, because its supply of the product expires in February.
|
