Covid-19: the High Authority for Health authorizes Pfizer’s Paxlovid antiviral treatment

The High Health Authority (HAS) gave the green light on Friday to the use of the antiviral Paxlovid as a curative treatment against Covid 19, the first deliveries of which are expected in France within a few days. Following the opinion of the National Medicines Agency, the HAS “authorizes early access to the Paxlovid treatment (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) from the Pfizer laboratory for adults with Covid-19 who do not require oxygen therapy and are at high risk of progressing to a severe form of the disease“.

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This is a treatment primarily intended for populations at risk (very elderly, immunocompromised, suffering from certain rare diseases, etc.) This pill is administered orally at the rate of three tablets per day for five days. It is recommended to take it as soon as possible after the positive diagnosis for Covid-19 and at most within five days of the onset of symptoms.

the risk of hospitalization reduced by 85%

Effective against Omicron, this treatment reduces the risk of being hospitalized or dying from Covid by around 85%, according to clinical studies. The HAS notes, however, that the antiviral is contraindicated in people with severe hepatic insufficiency or severe renal insufficiency. It also points to the significant risk of drug interactions when taking Paxlovid for patients taking another treatment.

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“We have reserved 500,000 doses in 2022 and the first deliveries – a few thousand doses – are expected in a week.“, said Thursday the entourage of the Minister of Health Olivier Véran to AFP. Its deployment will be done in particular via a prescription by general practitioners, in all pharmacies. Paxlovid is the first anti-Covid antiviral to obtain early access clearance.

SEE ALSO – What is Paxlovid? The anti-Covid pill that Pfizer is preparing to produce in France