A courtesy van parked outside Olin Health Center on February 27, 2020.
Michigan State University's Health Care Pharmacy will now offer two COVID-19 treatments to MSU students, MSU Health Care Clinic patients and residents of the mid-Michigan area.
The two treatments are oral medications — Paxlovid made by Pfizer and Lageviro made by Merck and Ridgeback Therapuetics.
The medications are designed to treat mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19, so patients will be required to meet a set criteria to receive the treatment. COVID-19 positive individuals who provide a doctor's prescription can receive the medication at the pharmacy. Individuals do not need to be a patient of MSU Health Care clinics to receive the medication.
MSU students can receive a prescription after testing positive for COVID-19 at the Olin Health Center. If students test positive elsewhere or with a home test, they can receive a prescription for treatment through a virtual or in-person visit with their primary care physician.
"Normally the pharmacy is just available for MSU Health Care patients and MSU faculty, staff, retirees and students, but is now open to the mid-Michigan area," MSU Healthcare Communications Coordinator Andrea Mackey said. "Anyone in the public who needs a medication — if they do test positive — a doctor can write them a prescription and send it to MSU health care pharmacy where they can fill it."
MSU Health Care Pharmacy Director Sandra Campbell said that patients shouldn't come into the pharmacy for the treatment if they are COVID-19 positive. Treatments can be picked up at the Pharmacy's curbside service, located at 4660 S. Hagadorn Road. The pharmacy also offers delivery for the treatment, within 30 miles of campus.
"We have found a way to deliver these and ensure that the patient is taking them without any disruptions or interruptions and delay of care," Campbell said.
Campbell said that it's crucial to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines to avoid illness, but these medications are another step towards safety.
"We're just thrilled to be able to offer this as the next level of COVID-19 treatments," Campbell said. "I think these anti-viral treatments also have a huge impact to treat patients that test positive and to get them back into the community again."
Campbell urges individuals to check out the General Therapeutic Locator to find other pharmacies and providers of COVID-19 medications.
For questions about receiving the COVID-19 treatments, contact your primary care physician or visit pharmacy.msu.edu.
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