Today, the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued a waiver authorizing pharmacists to independently order and furnish COVID-19 therapeutic drug Paxlovid to patients under certain conditions. This waiver improves access to an important COVID-19 therapeutic for individuals requiring treatment as a result of COVID-19.
Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-39-20, during the State of Emergency, the Director of DCA may waive any statutory or regulatory professional licensing requirements and amend scopes of practice pertaining to individuals licensed pursuant to Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, including pharmacists.
On July 6, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid, an orally-administered COVID-19 therapeutic drug. The amended EUA expressly permits licensed pharmacists to independently order Paxlovid for individual patients under certain conditions.
The order goes into effect immediately. Pharmacists should review the order and conditions to independently initiate and furnish Paxlovid to patients. Patients should consult with their healthcare provider and/or pharmacist when seeking treatment.
For additional details on the order, click here.
