Pfizer Signs Additional Contract for 400,000 Oral Treatment Courses... Secures Total of 1,004,000 Courses

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The government has secured an additional 400,000 doses of oral COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 5th that it has signed an additional purchase contract with Pfizer Korea for 400,000 doses of oral COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

Including the 604,000 doses contracted last month, the total number of oral antiviral treatments the government has pre-purchased as of today amounts to 1,004,000 doses. By pharmaceutical company, Pfizer accounts for 762,000 doses, and Merck & Company (MSD) accounts for 242,000 doses.

The government previously announced on the 27th of last month that it planned to push forward a pre-purchase contract for a total of 1,004,000 doses, and that the contract for the remaining 400,000 doses, excluding the already contracted amount, would be signed in early this month. In Korea, Pfizer's 'Paxlovid' is expected to be introduced first around mid-month. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had earlier granted emergency use authorization for Paxlovid.

The KDCA stated, "We will finalize details such as the initial supply volume and delivery schedule and provide guidance on the introduction and utilization of oral antiviral treatments next week," adding, "The introduction of these treatments will greatly aid in the care of patients isolating at home."

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