Select ShopRite Pharmacies are dispensing antiviral medicines to customers for the treatment of COVID-19, as part of ShopRite’s ongoing effort to help communities fight the virus.
Antiviral medications such as
Pfizer’s Paxlovid and
Merck’s Molnupiravir are recommended for those at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, but need to be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms or a diagnosis. Patients who are positive for COVID or experience symptoms of the virus should contact their physician to discuss antiviral medication, which can only be prescribed by a doctor, and who can advise them where they are available.
“We are proud to be part of the effort to help our communities and families fight this virus,” said Harshil Patel, Director of ShopRite Pharmacy. “To date, ShopRite has administered a half million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and antiviral medication is another tool we can use to help defeat this disease.”
Last December, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Paxlovid and Molnupiravir for patients at high risk of serious illness when testing positive for COVID-19. Clinical trials have shown that these drugs have reduced the risk of hospitalization and death among unvaccinated people who contract COVID-19.