Select Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies Ready To Dispense Authorized COVID-19 Antiviral Medication Through Federal Retail Pharmacy Therapeutics Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies are now authorized to dispense two FDA-approved COVID-19 antiviral medications, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. These medications are available at select locations based on state assessments, requiring prescriptions from healthcare providers. The rollout aims to enhance treatment access nationwide, especially in areas with high demand. Walmart has collaborated with federal and state health departments to identify necessary locations. Customers can use the store locator on Walmart's website to find availability.

Positive

• Expansion of services to include FDA-approved antiviral medications enhances Walmart's healthcare offerings.
• Collaboration with federal and state health departments could improve Walmart's reputation and customer trust.

Negative

• Limited initial supply of medications may restrict availability to customers.
• Availability is confined to select locations, which may not meet widespread demand.

Walmart launches store locator to help customers find the nearest store or club with availability

BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies are ready to receive and dispense the FDA authorized COVID-19 antiviral medications, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, this week as supplies allow.

The medication will only be available at certain Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in a limited number of states until more supply is available. The medication is only available with a prescription from a health care provider. Customers and health care providers can go to www.walmart.com/covidmedication and use the store locator to find their nearest store or club that is carrying this medication to send the electronic prescription. Since the COVID-19 antiviral medications are prescribed to those with COVID-19, it will only be available at Walmart and Sam’s Club by curbside pickup or via drive-through pharmacy windows.

Walmart worked closely with the federal government and state health departments to select locations where states determined the treatment was needed most. While initial medication supply is limited, Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies stand ready to help expand treatment access nationwide.

“We are committed to working with our state and federal partners to provide access to new treatment options like authorized COVID-19 antiviral medications, as they become available,” said Kevin Host, senior vice president of pharmacy. “This medication offers customers the option to recover at home and helps reduce the burden on our hospitals and communities. As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we’re proud to support our communities through everyday essentials, healthy food, vaccines, medication and other health care needs as we all work together to weather the pandemic.”

More information about these new medications to help treat COVID-19 can be found here:

• FDA News Release: FDA Authorizes First Oral Antiviral for Treatment of COVID-19
• Paxlovid EUA Letter of Authorization
• Frequently Asked Questions on the Emergency Use Authorization for Paxlovid
• Molnupiravir EUA Letter of Authorization
• Frequently Asked Questions on the Emergency Use Authorization for Molnupiravir

Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies will continue to support states and the federal government to help increase the access and availability of authorized COVID-19 antiviral medication and COVID-19 vaccines. Walmart will also continue to make flu vaccines and other preventative vaccines available. To stay up-to-date on how Walmart and Sam’s Club are supporting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, visit corporate.walmart.com/covid-vaccine.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

About Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club®, a division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Now in its 39th year, Sam’s Club continues to redefine warehouse shopping with its highly curated assortment of high-quality fresh food and Member’s Mark items, in addition to market leading technologies and services like Scan & Go, Curbside Pickup and home delivery service in select markets. To learn more about Sam’s Club, visit the Sam’s Club Newsroom, shop at samsclub.com/, and interact with Sam’s Club on Twitter and Facebook.

Paxlovid has not been approved, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an EUA, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high-risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death;

Molnupiravir has not been approved but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an EUA, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high-risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.

The emergency use of Paxlovid and Molnupiravir is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005411/en/

Media contact: Marilee McInnis 1-800-331-0085

Source: Walmart Inc.

FAQ

What COVID-19 medications are available at Walmart pharmacies?

Walmart pharmacies are dispensing Paxlovid and Molnupiravir.

What is the process to obtain COVID-19 antiviral medications from Walmart?

Patients need a prescription and can use Walmart's store locator to find availability.

Which states have access to Walmart's COVID-19 antiviral medications?

Availability is limited to certain states as determined by health authorities.

How is Walmart supporting COVID-19 treatment access?

Walmart is working closely with federal and state health departments to ensure treatment availability.

What is the stock symbol for Walmart?

The stock symbol for Walmart is WMT.