Some Walmart, Sam’s Club pharmacies to dispense COVID antiviral meds 

At least 15 Walmart store pharmacies in Arkansas are equipped to receive and dispense the COVID-19 antiviral medication approved by the Federal Drug Administration for emergency use. The drugs, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, were made available this week, Walmart said.

The medication will only be available at certain Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in a limited number of states until more supply is available. The medication is also only available with a prescription from a health care provider.

With the number of COVID-19 infections rising amid the contagious omicron variant, Walmart said this new antivirus treatment is timely. Walmart said it worked with the federal government and state health departments to select locations where the treatment was needed most.

“We are committed to working with our state and federal partners to provide access to new treatment options like authorized COVID-19 antiviral medications, as they become available,” said Kevin Host, senior vice president of pharmacy. “This medication offers customers the option to recover at home and helps reduce the burden on our hospitals and communities. As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we’re proud to support our communities through everyday essentials, healthy food, vaccines, medication and other health care needs as we all work together to weather the pandemic.”

In Northwest Arkansas, the supercenters on Elm Springs Road in Springdale and Store No. 1 at 2110 W. Walnut in Rogers, and supercenter in Huntsville have the antiviral meds. In Northcentral Arkansas, Harrison’s supercenter has the antivirals. In the Fort Smith area, the Van Buren supercenter has the medications. In Central Arkansas,  the neighborhood market on Prince Street in Conway, the supercenter on Baseline Road in Little Rock, a supercenter on Interstate 30 in Benton and the neighborhood market on Pine Street in Cabot have the meds.

In the Jonesboro area, Walmart’s neighborhood market on Creek Drive, and the supercenter in Truman have the meds. In South Arkansas, the supercenter in Monticello and two supercenters in Texarkana at 133 Arkansas Blvd., and 400 New Boston Road.

Walmart said the two drugs have not yet been approved by the FDA, but they have instead been authorized for emergency use to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and certain patients 12 years or older who are at high risk for complications.