Singapore Approves Use of Oral COVID-19 Treatment 'Paxlovid'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Singapore has approved the use of the oral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid.

According to The Straits Times, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore issued a statement on the 3rd, saying, "This is the first approved oral COVID-19 treatment pill in Singapore for adult patients at high risk of progressing to severe illness."

The HSA explained that the medication must be taken as soon as possible within five days of symptom onset and should be taken twice daily for five days.

Paxlovid is an oral antiviral pill. Pfizer's own clinical trials showed it reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by up to 89%.

Paxlovid received approval for use from the European Union (EU) Commission on the 28th of last month.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved Paxlovid for use in December last year, and the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approved its emergency use in the same month.

According to the Ministry of Health, Singapore reported 3,101 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

There are 819 patients currently hospitalized, of whom 74 require oxygen support and 12 are receiving intensive care treatment.

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