The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) is pleased to announce a program for providing low-cost antiviral medications to underinsured and uninsured patients in NYC during the 2009-2010 influenza season.  Please note that all providers in NYC may utilize this program for their patients; there is no enrollment necessary.  This program is scheduled to begin on November 16, 2009.

This antiviral access program will permit eligible patients to obtain antivirals to which they might not otherwise have access due to the expense.  DOHMH has provided antivirals to pharmacies who have agreed to dispense these antivirals to eligible patients for an administrative fee of no more than five ($5.00) dollars.  The process for determining eligibility and ensuring patients have access to these low-cost antivirals is diagrammed in the attached document.

The pharmacies participating in this program include all Duane Reade, Rite Aid, and Walgreens locations in the five boroughs of NYC. Additional sites and chains may be added as the season progresses. Providers may call the DOHMH Provider Access Line (PAL) at (866) 692-3641 or (866) NYC-DOH1 Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm for current information about participants and other program details.  Please find below links to materials pertaining to this program.

• Antiviral Access Program Provider Letter

• Decision Flow Chart

• Emergency Use Authorization for Antiviral Medications

• Emergency Use Authorization Patient Letter

• Emergency Use Authorization Provider Letter

• Emergency Use Authorization Tamiflu Package Insert

• FAQs about Antiviral Access Un-/Underinsured