Government Shields Makers of Andes Virus Treatments
Published Date: 5/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is protecting doctors, nurses, and companies who make or use medicines to fight Andes virus, a rare but serious lung disease spread mainly in South America. This protection means they won’t be sued for most problems related to these medicines, starting right now. This helps speed up efforts to keep people safe without worrying about legal troubles.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Legal Immunity for Makers and Providers
The Declaration gives liability immunity to "Covered Persons" (manufacturers, distributors, program planners, qualified persons, and the United States) for manufacture, testing, development, distribution, and voluntary administration of the covered countermeasure (favipiravir) related to Andes virus exposures. Immunity is in effect as of the date of signature and extends through July 18, 2026, plus one additional month for disposition activities.
Patients' Limits on Suing for Injuries
If you receive the covered countermeasure (favipiravir) in accordance with this Declaration, most claims for loss against manufacturers or providers are precluded—negligence claims are barred except for claims involving "willful misconduct." This limitation on lawsuits applies without geographic limitation and is in effect through July 18, 2026 (plus one month).
Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program Rules
The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) may provide benefits to individuals who sustain a serious physical injury or die as a direct result of a covered countermeasure, but causation must be shown with "compelling, reliable, valid, medical and scientific evidence." For countermeasures given outside the U.S., only otherwise eligible individuals at U.S. embassies, military installations abroad, or NATO installations may be considered for CICP benefits.
Covered Countermeasure and Distribution Limits
The Declaration identifies favipiravir as the Covered Countermeasure and limits liability immunity to Recommended Activities involving countermeasures obtained for voluntary administration in accordance with an approved IND application. For governmental program planners, immunity applies only when countermeasures are obtained through voluntary means (donation, commercial sale, federal stockpile deployment, or state/local/private stockpiles).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20447, Transparency in Coverage
Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer, easier-to-understand price info for medical services and drugs. This helps you see what in-network and out-of-network costs really look like, with more details and better updates. These changes affect most group and individual health plans and kick in with new reporting rules to make healthcare pricing more transparent and fair.
2026-20281, Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model
Starting November 30, 2026, Medicare will use the new GLOBE Model to help lower the cost of certain drugs for people on Original Medicare. This model changes how drug price increases are calculated, aiming to save money for both patients and the Medicare program without cutting care quality. If you’re on Medicare Part B, expect smarter drug pricing that helps keep your healthcare affordable.
2026-20131, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program; Correction
This correction fixes some technical mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for inpatient rehab facilities starting October 1, 2026. It mainly affects hospitals and rehab centers by clarifying how wage data and payments are calculated, ensuring fairer payment rates for fiscal year 2027. No big changes in money, but it keeps everything accurate and on track.
2026-19959, Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027; Correction
This correction fixes some technical mistakes in Medicare payment rules for skilled nursing facilities starting October 1, 2026. It mainly affects how hospital data is used to calculate payments, making sure no current hospitals are wrongly excluded. These tweaks help keep Medicare payments fair and accurate for providers and patients.
2026-20067, Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction
This correction fixes some technical mistakes in the FY 2027 hospice payment and wage index rules that were first published in August 2026. It mainly affects hospice providers by updating how their payments are calculated, making sure the numbers are accurate starting October 1, 2026. These changes help ensure hospices get the right payment amounts based on the latest hospital wage data.
2026-19946, Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; Other Policy Changes; and Adoption of Updated Versions of Certain Health Information Technology Standards; Correction
This update fixes some typos and technical mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for hospitals starting October 1, 2026. It affects hospitals getting paid for patient care, making sure the payment system and quality programs run smoothly. These corrections help hospitals get the right payments and follow updated health tech standards without delays or confusion.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10535, Notice of Decision on Innovative Product Exemption Applications Under the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Consumer Products
The EPA has decided on two special requests from Henkel and PLZ to let their hairsprays have more VOCs than usually allowed, because their products still keep pollution low. This means these companies can sell their innovative hairsprays without breaking the rules starting May 27, 2026. If you make or sell similar products, keep an eye on these changes—they could affect your business and the environment!
Next: 2026-10536, Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 6.40P-O
NYSE Arca is updating its rules to give Options Trade Permit holders more freedom in how their trading activity counts toward risk limits. This change helps traders manage their risks better without changing fees or timing. It’s effective immediately, so traders can start using the new flexibility right away!