The Real 'Game Changer' Is Coming... 89% Effective Oral Treatment to Be Introduced Domestically Next Year

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Following MSD (Merck), Pfizer has also announced successful clinical results for its oral COVID-19 treatment, drawing significant attention as the oral treatment is expected to be introduced domestically as early as January next year.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 8th, the government has already secured 270,000 doses of oral COVID-19 treatment. The headquarters explained, "We plan to secure 404,000 doses of oral treatment," adding, "Purchase contracts for 200,000 doses from MSD and 70,000 doses from Pfizer have already been signed, and an additional 134,000 doses are under further negotiation, expected to be finalized in November."

With Pfizer following MSD in releasing successful clinical results for oral treatments, expectations are rising, and the government has effectively confirmed the procurement of these treatments. The remaining 134,000 doses are being negotiated for pre-purchase not only with MSD and Pfizer but also with Roche, which is developing oral treatments. The related budget currently allocates KRW 36.2 billion for 38,000 doses, and additional necessary funds will be discussed in the November budget session of the National Assembly.

On the 5th (local time), Pfizer announced clinical trial results for its oral treatment 'Paxlovid.' The trial targeted COVID-19 patients at high risk of progressing to severe illness. According to the results, administering the treatment within three days of symptom onset reduced the probability of hospitalization or death by 89%, and within five days by 85%. This significantly surpasses the effect of MSD's oral treatment 'Molnupiravir,' which previously showed about a 50% reduction in hospitalization or death when administered within five days.

If oral COVID-19 treatments are actually launched, it is expected to replicate the rapid containment seen during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, when the antiviral Tamiflu was widely distributed and the improved H1N1 vaccine was quickly supplied. Although there were concerns about the somewhat lower efficacy of the first oral COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir, the strong effect demonstrated by Paxlovid has heightened expectations. Roche, the developer of Tamiflu, is also accelerating its development of oral treatments.

The actual introduction of the oral treatments secured by the government is expected in the first quarter of next year. It is anticipated that domestic use will be possible as early as January or February next year. The government plans to primarily prescribe the treatment to high-risk groups such as patients with underlying conditions and the elderly with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.