Oral Therapeutics to Be Introduced Domestically in February Next Year... Will They Become a 'Game Changer'? (Comprehensive)

[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. The oral treatment is expected to be introduced domestically as early as February next year.

On the 8th, Ko Jae-young, spokesperson for the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), stated during the Central Disease Control Headquarters briefing that "the oral COVID-19 treatment is scheduled to be introduced gradually starting February next year." According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), the government has already secured 270,000 doses of the oral COVID-19 treatment. The CDSCH explained, "We plan to secure 404,000 doses of oral treatment," adding, "We have already signed purchase contracts for 200,000 doses from MSD and 70,000 doses from Pfizer, and an additional 134,000 doses are under further negotiation, expected to be finalized in November."

With Pfizer following MSD in presenting 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 an oral treatment. The related budget currently allocates 36.2 billion KRW for 38,000 doses, and additional necessary funding 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 taking it within five days reduced it by up to 85%. This effect far surpasses that of MSD's oral treatment 'Molnupiravir,' which previously showed about a 50% reduction in hospitalization or death when administered within five days.

If the 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 a modified vaccine for the new flu 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 further 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, with domestic use anticipated as early as January or February. The government plans to primarily prescribe the treatment to high-risk groups such as patients with underlying conditions and the elderly who have mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

Regarding additional plans to purchase treatments beyond the 404,000 doses, spokesperson Ko stated, "It will be necessary to discuss whether additional purchases are needed by comprehensively considering the current status of confirmed cases and the approval for use by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety."

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