Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              About
                              News
                              Readout of HHS Secretary Becerra’s Meeting with Pharmacy CEOs on COVID-19 Therapeutics Commercialization
 Navigate to:
  News
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Blog
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HHS Live
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Podcasts
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Media Guidelines for HHS EmployeesText resize icon

                    




**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2024**

        **Contact:
            HHS Press Office 
              202-690-6343media@hhs.gov**

          Readout of HHS Secretary Becerra’s Meeting with Pharmacy CEOs on COVID-19 Therapeutics Commercialization
    
    

      On Monday, February 5, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra met virtually with pharmacy CEOs, including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and pharmacy leaders, to discuss COVID-19 therapeutics commercialization. Secretary Becerra reconvened pharmacy leaders as a follow-up to his larger meeting with pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurers on January 9, 2024.

During the call, Secretary Becerra made it clear that no patient should be charged hundreds of dollars for Paxlovid at the pharmacy counter – stressing the importance of pharmacist education and clear communication to patients. Secretary Becerra re-iterated the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equitable access to COVID-19 therapeutics, reminded pharmacy leaders of the pathways for access that HHS negotiated with Pfizer, and made it clear that HHS would continue to engage with pharmacist leadership as needed.

While HHS is no longer managing the distribution of COVID-19 therapeutics since they transitioned to the commercial market, the Biden-Harris Administration has been closely monitoring the therapeutics commercialization process and remains committed to equitable access to lifesaving COVID-19 therapeutics, including Paxlovid. Thanks to the pathways that HHS negotiated with Pfizer, all individuals on Medicare and Medicaid can receive Paxlovid for free through 2024 and individuals who are uninsured can receive Paxlovid for free through 2028.

A full list of participants is included below:

Ilisa Bernstein, Senior Vice President, Practice, Policy, and Partnerships, American Pharmacists Association
	Prem Shah, Executive Vice President, Chief Pharmacy Officer, and President of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness, CVS Health
	Doug Cornelius, Director of Pharmacy, The Kroger Company
	Krystalyn Weaver, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
	Steven Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Chain Drug Stores
	Kurt Proctor, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, National Community Pharmacists Association
	Summer Kerley, Global Vice President, Pharmacy Growth and Clinical Programs, Rite Aid
	Rick Gates, Senior Vice President, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Walgreens Company
	Kevin Host, Senior Vice President and Head of Pharmacy, WalmartTo learn more about Paxlovid access, go to Pfizer’s PAXCESS Website. You can find more information about previous HHS engagements on COVID-19 therapeutics commercialization below:

For over a year, HHS, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Pfizer have regularly met with stakeholder groups to discuss increased Paxlovid access and address other stakeholder questions around oral antivirals commercialization.
	As of October 13, 2023, HHS and Pfizer reached an agreement extending patient access to Paxlovid, maximizing taxpayer investment, and beginning Paxlovid’s transition to the commercial market.
	On October 27, 2023, at the outset of Paxlovid’s transition to the commercial market, Secretary Becerra wrote to therapeutics manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and the health care payer community requesting their partnership as therapeutics transitioned to the commercial market and asking that they inform HHS immediately if they encounter any operational problems that impede patient access to these treatments.
	On January 4, 2024, CMS released guidance for Medicare Part D plans that describes coverage and processing claims for COVID-19 therapeutics. As a reminder, Medicare Part D plans must cover commercially available oral antivirals for COVID-19, either as a formulary product or through the formulary exception process.
	On January 9, 2024, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra met virtually with pharmacy leaders, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurers to discuss HHS’ continued commitment and partnership to increase equitable access to COVID-19 therapeutics.
	On January 22, 2024, HHS and Pfizer leadership met virtually with health care provider groups highlighting the pathways for a smooth transition of oral antivirals for COVID-19, including Paxlovid, to the commercial market and the importance of provider education and clear communication to patients.
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: February 7, 2024

  
  
  







  Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up







  Subscribe to RSS
    

      Receive latest updates







  Related News Releases
    

      HHS, DHS, and FEMA Announce Completion of Multi-Year Review of State Efforts to Provide Language Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
  

Readout of HHS Meeting with Health Care Providers on COVID-19 Therapeutics Commercialization
  

Readout of HHS Secretary Becerra’s Meeting with Pharmacies, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and Insurers on COVID-19 Therapeutics Commercialization







  Related Blog Posts
    

      Calling innovators! HHS Long COVID Healthathon launches with $25K in prizes
  

Reflections from the Deputy Director of the HHS Office of Long COVID Research and Practice
  

Driving Long COVID Innovation with Health+ Human-Centered Design

                    
  


Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.







  Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) Content last reviewed February 7, 2024 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​