Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has made a strong recommendation to administer Pfizer’s oral antiviral pill Paxlovid for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients at highest risk of hospital admission.
It said on Friday that Paxlovid, a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, is the best therapeutic choice for patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of developing severe disease and hospitalization, such as the unvaccinated, older, or immunocompromised patients.
However, WHO suggested against its use in patients at lower risk as the benefits were found to be negligible.
The recommendation was based on trials involving 3,078 patients. The data showed that the risk of hospitalization is reduced by 85% following this treatment.
Despite the high possibility of the drug to save lives, WHO expressed worry that it may not promptly reach low- and middle-income countries.
It cited the need for urgent and accurate testing before administering Paxlovid, supply issues, and lack of price transparency in bilateral deals.
“One obstacle for low- and middle-income countries is that the medicine can only be administered while the disease is at its early stages; prompt and accurate testing is therefore essential for a successful outcome with this therapy,” it said in a statement.
The Geneva-based United Nations health organization added that it is “extremely concerned that — as occurred with COVID-19 vaccines — low- and middle-income countries will again be pushed to the end of the queue when it comes to accessing this treatment.”
The Philippines in March approved the emergency use authorization for Paxlovid. The Food and Drug Administration said the pill is advised for adult patients with mild to moderate symptoms who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.
The Department of Health has been in talks with Pfizer to procure Paxlovid tablets. It remains unclear if the government has procured the antiviral drug.
