By Katie Mulvaney Journal Staff Writer
Drugstore giant CVS announced Wednesday that is moving to prevent people from stockpiling drugs commonly used to treat chronic conditions, such as lupus, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
CVS Caremark, the company’s benefit management arm, said it is placing “appropriate limits” aimed at stopping people from hoarding drugs rumored to help treat the symptoms of COVID-19 pneumonia.
The measures are intended to preserve a supply of the drugs for people who use them to treat chronic conditions, according to a release issued by CVSHealth.
The medications include hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, one protease inhibitor and albuterol inhalers that are used for the treatment of lupus, bacterial infections, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
“Pharmacy benefit managers play an important role at the center of the pharmaceutical supply chain,” CVS Caremark President Alan Lotvin, M.D., said in the release. “Our advanced analytics allowed us to quickly identify changes in prescribing patterns and enabled us to take proactive steps to help ensure the integrity of the supply chain. We are taking additional steps today to limit stockpiling that could result in future shortages and gaps in care We will continue to anticipate and support the needs of our clients who collectively provide prescription drug coverage for more than 90 million members.”
The company said the limits were “appropriate” and directed at those purchasing the drugs for off-label use, such as potentially treating COVID-19 symptoms. It did not specify what the limits are but said that people who already take these medicines for approved uses will be able to bypass the new quantity limits.
“We continue to proactively study the latest clinical literature and consider what additional measures may be needed to help facilitate access to any other newly identified treatments as they emerge during this extraordinary public health situation,” said CVS Caremark Chief Medical Officer Sree Chaguturu, M.D.
A spokesman for the company could not be reached immediately kmulvane@ providencejournal.com
(401) 277-7417 On Twitter: @kmulvane said.