(WWJ) Michigan has received its first shipment of COVID 19 pills that can be taken by patients in the comfort of their home, but getting them may be difficult.
State officials have said there is a limited supply of the new oral treatments — Pfizer's paxlovid and Merck's molnupiravir — and they will only be prescribed as necessary by health care providers based on eligibility.
The new medications are being reserved for “at-risk” patients — such as the immunocompromised and people over the age of 75 that are not fully vaccinated — who are most likely to develop a severe COVID 19 infection, according to state guidelines.
Both medications were approved by the FDA two weeks ago.
Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, still urges residents to remain diligent in the state’s fight against the virus.
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"It’s important to remember these drugs are not a substitution for protecting yourself by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask in public places,” Bagdasarian said.
You can follow the latest on COVID 19 within the state at Michigan.gov/coronavirus
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