What happens to emergency use drugs when crises end?
On May 11, the central pillar of the country’s pandemic response — the declaration of a national emergency that began March 1, 2020 — will come down. But Americans will continue to have access to the vaccines, drugs and medical devices that were authorized for emergency use against COVID-19, so long as they remain sufficiently safe and effective.
The antiviral medication Paxlovid will not disappear. Children under 12 will still be able to get booster shots. Adolescents and adults will have the option of getting a dose of the Novavax vaccine.
Coronavirus tests that require you to swab your nose will remain available online and in stores. And myriad lab tests, blood processing devices and specialized pieces of personal protective equipment authorized for use in the pandemic will continue to be used.
The cost of testing for coronavirus infections will shift for many Americans after May 11. But vaccines will remain free, and antiviral medications purchased by the government will be offered without charge for as long as supplies last.
Surprised that COVID-19 products authorized “for emergency use” are available after the emergency ends? Blame the fine print set in motion by the pandemic.
To address the spread of a deadly virus, the federal government enacted a range of measures.
All the vaccines, medications, tests and devices used in the process cost money. So far, the tab has been picked up by the federal government.
That won’t come to an abrupt halt when the federal public health emergency ends May 11. But there will be changes.
Medicare patients won’t get free coronavirus tests and people insured by Medicare or private insurance may begin to see co-pays for some doctor-ordered testing. But all COVID-19 testing will be free until at least September 2024 for people insured through Medicaid.
For the foreseeable future, vaccines will be free of charge. The federal government has purchased 166 million doses of the new bivalent boosters, and the 113 million doses that are unclaimed will continue to be provided for free.
Even after those are exhausted, insurers must offer COVID-19 vaccines without out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act and other laws.
When existing inventories are used up, there will be no more free medications or vaccines unless Congress ponies up the cash for additional purchases.