COVID-19 antiviral pills to be used at Polyclinics and PHPCs

According to a report by The Straits Times, Pfizer’s Paxlovid, the first oral anti-viral medicine for COVID-19, will be used at selected polyclinics and Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs).

The new medicine was first granted interim authorisation by the Health Sciences Agency (HSA) on Feb 3. Paxlovid was approved to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 adult patients. 

The Ministry Of Health (MOH) said that polyclinics and PHPC patients who are at risk of severe COVID-19 and who are within five days of the onset of illness will be eligible for the drug. Patients from private and public hospitals who are assessed to be of highest risk of severe illness may also be administered with the drug. 

MOH will fully cover the costs of Paxlovid in the eligible primary care settings for a limited period. 

According to HSA, Pfizer is required to submit the relevant safety data, ongoing clinical studies results, and monitor the new medicine to ensure that it is safe and effective for citizens. HSA will also continue to evaluate and monitor Paxlovid’s efficacy against variants. 

The date of when Paxlovid will be released has yet to be announced.