Study finds racial and ethnic disparities in Paxlovid treatment

Black patients who sought outpatient care for COVID-19 between January and July 2022 were 36% less likely than white patients to receive the antiviral pill Paxlovid, while Hispanic patients were 30% less likely than non-Hispanic patients to receive the treatment, according to a study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on sites participating in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network.

“Racial and ethnic disparities persist in outpatient COVID-19 treatment, even among older adults and patients with immunocompromise,” the authors said. “Expansion of programs focused on equitable outpatient COVID-19 treatment, including raising patient awareness using trusted sources, educating clinicians and other prescribers, and expanding patient access to prescribers, can facilitate equitable health outcomes.”