In New York, COVID-19 medicines will be distributed right on the streets

New York is setting up the first testing sites that will allow people who test positive for coronavirus to receive free antiviral treatment with Paxlovid. New York Times.

Mayor Eric Adams announced the new program on Thursday, June 30 in Manhattan along with Dr. Ashish Jha.

The new Mobile Unit Test to Treat program is part of federal and city efforts to reduce the impact of the virus. This is a kind of preparation for future waves of cases. Health officials want to improve access to antivirals for vulnerable New Yorkers.

Democrat Adams, who took office in January, tested positive for the virus in April. He said his infection was mild in part because he was taking Paxlovid. The drug, developed by Pfizer, reduces the likelihood of severe illness in people at risk. Especially if patients start taking it in the early stages. Federal regulators approved the drug for emergency use late last year. However, it was not until June 30 that Pfizer applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of the treatment.

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“By delivering life-saving drugs to New Yorkers minutes after they test positive, we are helping the country quickly provide affordable healthcare,” Adams said in a statement.

President Biden announced a national Test to Treat effort in his March message

The federal program relies on hundreds of local pharmacies that prescribe antiviral treatment on the spot. No city other than New York has yet used mobile test units for this program.

Since June 30, a doctor has been working at three urban mobile testing points. He prescribes antivirals to those who are eligible. Branches will be set up close to local pharmacies that will be able to fill these prescriptions immediately. The facilities will be located in Manhattan's Inwood neighborhood, South Ozone Park in Queens, and the East Bronx, all areas away from downtown or Manhattan where there are many working-class communities.

The number of locations that can offer a recipe will increase to 30 by the end of July. And later this summer, the city will begin offering antivirals directly at these 30 mobile locations, rather than through a nearby pharmacy.

Dr Ted Long said the first patient at the new mobile testing site outside of Inwood Pharmacy this week was a woman. She did not have a mobile phone and was recently exposed to the virus. She tested positive and left the pharmacy with Paxlovid.

“These efforts are focused on equality,” he said.

Over the past 3 months, the use of Paxlovid has increased significantly throughout the country

Last week, 240 new prescriptions for treatment were registered. This is the highest weekly figure to date. But he said those from the poor who tested positive did not receive antiviral treatment as often as the wealthy.

“I love the idea,” he said of the New York program. You can go to people where they are. I expect everything to go well. And it will be a great role model for the rest of the country.”

A recent study found that people living in socially and economically disadvantaged areas of the United States were half as likely to be prescribed new antiviral drugs. Even though many distribution points are located in these areas.

Dr. Jha and Dr. Ashwin Wasan said Paxlovid is enough for New Yorkers right now.