Rep. Adam Niemberg has requested information about the distribution of two COVID-19 antiviral pills. | imperioame at Pixabay
Rep. Adam Niemberg has requested information about the distribution of two COVID-19 antiviral pills. | imperioame at Pixabay
State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich) is being proactive in his approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, indicated by his recent letter to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, where he inquired about two new antiviral treatments coming to the state.
Niemberg sent the letter on Jan. 7, according to his website, where he said that two coronavirus treatments from Pfizer and Merck will be distributed to pharmacies in Illinois within the next few weeks. He requested information on which pharmacies and hospitals, if any, will receive them, and how much will be included at each location.
“We have heard about the rationing and selective distribution of medicines in other states, and I want to be sure that no region of our state is left out of the distribution,” Niemerg said. “There should be nobody restricted from access to any treatments should they choose to take them in their fight against the coronavirus.”
Paxlovid from Pfizer and Molnupiravir from Merck will be available by prescription only and to those who have mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, or those who are at high risk, according to CBS Chicago. The report added that Pfizer has said the pill was 89% effective at preventing hospitalization and death for people at high risk. Merck initially said its pill was 50% effective, but then lowered that reduction of risk to 30%.
Pfizer’s pill is not recommended for patients with kidney or liver problems, according to the station. It has been authorized for children 12 and older.
The pill by Merck is not authorized for children because it could interfere with bone growth. It is also not recommended for pregnant women. The NBC report said it is meant to be used when other treatment is not available.
The IDPH has been working with pharmacies around the state, but the quantities and locations have yet to be released.
"While these antivirals are free from the federal government, they are in limited supply," IDPH said in a news release. "Illinois will receive a renewed allocation of antivirals every two weeks."
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