From the 7th, Paxlovid Prescriptions Extended to 50s with Underlying Conditions... Stock of 30,595 Units Available

Prescriptions Given to 1,275 People Over 3 Weeks

Paxlovid, an oral treatment for COVID-19, has been stocked at a pharmacy in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] Starting from the 7th, patients in their 50s with underlying conditions will also be eligible to receive oral COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 4th that from the 7th, the prescription of the oral COVID-19 antiviral 'Paxlovid' will be expanded from the existing groups of those aged 60 and above and immunocompromised individuals to include patients in their 50s with underlying conditions. Underlying conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic pulmonary diseases including asthma, cancer, and overweight.

Paxlovid, which began being prescribed from the 14th of last month, has been used by 1,275 people over three weeks until the 3rd of this month. Among the 1,275 patients, 961 were receiving home treatment, the largest group, followed by 221 hospitalized in infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, and 93 admitted to residential treatment centers. By region, 434 prescriptions were issued in Gyeonggi, 353 in Seoul, 112 each in Busan and Daegu, and 70 in Incheon, among others.

As of 6:30 PM the previous day, the remaining stock of Paxlovid in the country totaled 30,595 doses.

Previously, the government began prescribing Paxlovid to residents of residential treatment centers and home treatment patients from the 14th of last month, and has since gradually expanded the prescribing institutions to include nursing hospitals and facilities, infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, respiratory clinics, and COVID-19 designated medical institutions. The eligible age group was also adjusted once, from 65 and older to 60 and older on the 22nd of last month.

The government urged medical staff to adhere to treatment guidelines and utilize the antiviral medication effectively, stating, "With the expansion of eligible institutions such as respiratory clinics and designated medical institutions, including local clinics and hospitals, as well as patients in their 50s with underlying conditions, we ask healthcare providers to comply with the treatment guidelines when using the antiviral medication."

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