U.S. federal government to stop buying COVID-19 treatments, tests, and vaccines by the fall of 2022
AGN.News Team
August 20, 2022
WASHINGTON (AGN.News) – The U.S. federal government will stop buying COVID-19 treatments, tests, and vaccines by the fall of 2022 according to Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 Response Team coordinator.
Speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event, Dr. Jha said, “My hope is that in 2023, you’re going to see the commercialization of almost all of these products. Some of that is actually going to begin this fall, in the days and weeks ahead. You’re going to see commercialization of some of these things.”
COVID-19 tests are now being sold
Tests are now being sold at local pharmacies, grocery stores and online. In addition to sales of test, some treatments are coming to these commercial entities in 2023.
What about COVID-19 vaccines?
Currently, only two vaccines have regulatory approval to go commercial. They are Moderna (MRNA) and Pfizer/BioNTech (PFE/BNTX). Others are waiting on full government approval.
The U.S. government has placed orders for booster doses this fall, and are only planning to transition out after those doses have been delivered, according to Yahoo News.
There are many details such as price of doses, coverage by insurers, and details of how to transition logistics away from the government partnership that needs to be worked out in the coming months.
What has Moderna been doing?
“The commercial organization has already engaged with commercial payers and the channel, both channel distributors as well as key pharmacies, in anticipation of this shift. Internationally, we expect public health authorities to remain key purchasers of vaccines but we are also identifying markets where there may be a private commercial market as well,” Arpa Garay, chief commercial officer, said during an earnings call this month, according to Yahoo News.
What about this a public health emergency?
Currently the U.S. in under a public health emergency, which is set to expire October 13. There is a 60-day notice if the Biden administration intends to lift it. All signs point to another extension, which would leave in place coverage and rules for vaccines, treatments, tests, and even provisions for telehealth and other pandemic-related shifts in policy and operations.
What will be the commercial prices?
Once this emergency if lifted there will be many open-ended issues to be resolved. First, Congress has not approved more funding for COVID-19 payments. What that means is that no one really knows who will pay for tests and treatments. What about those on Medicare? What about out-of-pocket cost and copays?
Will there be vaccines available?
The government has ordered 105 million Pfizer doses for delivery through the end of 2022, with an option to purchase 195 million more, and 66 million doses from Moderna through the end of 2022. The 171 million doses is about two-thirds of the more than 250 million needed to give each adult an additional booster, according to Yahoo News.
That means there will not be enough for all U.S. adults. Those who have not gotten there boosters may want to consider getting theirs early.
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AGN.News Team
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