WAILUKU, Hawaii — Mayor Michael Victorino announced that Mauliola Pharmacy in Wailuku has expanded its free COVID-19 testing program to include “Test to Treat.” If a Maui resident tests positive for COVID-19, the individual may receive free prescription medication on-site.

What You Need To Know

  • New “Test to Treat” program at Mauliola Pharmacy allows individuals to be tested for COVID-19, and if positive, may opt to receive free Paxlovid antiviral pill treatment

  • There is a three-step process for the “Test to Treat” program

  • Pharmacy treatment is limited to Paxlovid tablets; individuals requiring monoclonal antibody IV treatment must go to Maui Memorial Medical Center

  • Mauliola Pharmacy is at 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku and is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

“I wanted to be sure our residents could access a convenient central location for free COVID-19 testing seven days a week,” said Mayor Victorino in a news release. “Those who test positive may now get the Paxlovid antiviral pill at one location.”

There’s a three-step process to Mauliola Pharmacy’s “Test to Treat” program:

  • Register online to make an appointment for a free drive-up COVID-19 PCR test at Mauliola Pharmacy.
  • If positive, customers can choose to receive Paxlovid, an oral COVID-19 antiviral medication. Your primary care physician is required to provide health information. Those without a PCP will be asked questions and assisted by staff clinical pharmacists to determine if Paxlovid is appropriate for the individual’s current health status.
  • Either customers’ PCP or the clinical pharmacist can prescribe Paxlovid on the spot.

“People expect to pay a fee for the testing service and/or the medication, but the Test to Treat program is federally funded in conjunction with the County of Maui, so there is no cost at all for residents,” explained Dr. Cory Lehano, owner of Mauliola Pharmacy. “Benefits of Paxlovid therapy include reduced risk of hospitalization and speedy relief of severe symptoms, and we’ve received very positive feedback from patients.”

Authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Paxlovid is a five-day oral antiviral treatment that works best when taken within five days of symptoms developing, according to an article posted by Yale Medicine.

The “Test to Treat” program was launched by the Biden administration in response to the fast spread of highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron sub-variants.

Pharmacy treatment is limited to Paxlovid tablets. Individuals who require monoclonal antibody IV treatment must go to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Mauliola Pharmacy is at 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku and is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Additional information on the “Test to Treat” program is available at the Mauliola Pharmacy website or call the COVID-19 information line at 808-446-3722.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.