In a big boost to health sector, Singapore has finally approved Pfizer's oral antiviral tablet Paxlovid for treating COVID-, the country’s Health Sciences Authority said today.
"This is the first oral tablet approved in Singapore for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adult patients who are at high risk of progression to severe disease, to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death," it added.
Paxlovid, was granted interim authorisation under the HSA's Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) on January 31, the straits times reported.
"This is the first oral tablet approved in Singapore for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adult patients who are at high risk of progression to severe disease, to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death," it added.
Pfizer's drug, Paxlovid, was granted interim authorisation under the HSA's Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) on Jan 31
The drug is a combination of two medicines, nirmatrelvir – an antiviral medicine – and ritonavir – to maintain the blood level of nirmatrelvir for antiviral efficacy, it added.
HSA said it has reviewed available clinical data for the drug, and found that it could reduce Covid-19 related hospitalisation or death by 88.9 per cent when given within three days from the onset of symptoms.
The efficacy rate was 87.8 per cent when given within five days of symptoms appearing.
Pfizer is required to collect the relevant safety data and monitor the use of its drug as a condition for interim authorisation under PSAR.
HSA will also require Pfizer to continue submitting updated data from ongoing clinical studies to ensure the continued safety and efficacy of Paxlovid, such as its efficacy against prevailing variants.
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