Covid-19: health authorities authorize Paxlovid antiviral treatment

Europe 1 with AFP 5:32 p.m., January 21, 2022

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.

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HAS “authorizes early access to Paxlovid treatment

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 not requiring oxygen therapy and at high risk. progression to a severe form of the disease". It is a treatment primarily intended for populations at risk (very elderly, immunocompromised, suffering from certain rare diseases, etc.)

This pill is taken orally as 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.

Effective against Omicron, this treatment reduces the risk of being hospitalized or dying from Covid by around 85%, according to clinical studies.

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Contraindicated in some people 

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.

"We have reserved 500,000 doses in 2022 and the first deliveries - a few thousand doses - are expected within a week," the entourage of Minister of Health Olivier Véran told AFP on Thursday.

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.