"Oral Therapeutics Allowed for In-Hospital Prescription in Long-Term Care Hospitals... Additional Domestic Introduction by End of March"

The Home Treatment Prescription System Remains Unchanged... No Review for Changes Has Been Conducted

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The quarantine authorities have allowed in-hospital prescriptions of oral antiviral treatment (Paxlovid) at nursing hospitals with a high elderly population.

On the 17th, Kim Ok-su, head of the Resource Management Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated, "To ensure timely administration of oral antiviral treatment to the elderly, both in-hospital prescriptions at nursing hospitals and out-of-hospital prescriptions using designated pharmacies are permitted."

Previously, only the out-of-hospital prescription method was allowed, where confirmed patients at nursing hospitals received prescriptions for oral antiviral treatment within the hospital and the designated pharmacy dispensed and supplied the medication. However, due to shortages at designated pharmacies, starting from the 14th, in-hospital prescription and dispensing of the treatment have been permitted at nursing hospitals by receiving supplies from 24 nationwide infectious disease specialized hospitals serving as treatment supply hubs.

Nursing facilities still primarily follow the out-of-hospital prescription principle. However, when multiple confirmed cases occur at nursing facilities, considering the potential overload on designated pharmacies, the system has been supplemented to allow supply to designated pharmacies through infectious disease specialized hospitals.

The volume of oral antiviral prescriptions more than doubled since the 14th, when individuals aged 60 and above testing positive via professional rapid antigen tests, without the need for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, became eligible for prescriptions. According to the quarantine authorities, daily prescriptions increased from 2,404 in the second week of March to 5,184 in the third week. As of the 16th, 163,000 doses of oral antiviral treatments have been supplied domestically, with 67,000 doses used. The remaining stock is 96,000 doses.

In response, the government is preparing to either expedite the introduction of contracted quantities of oral antiviral treatments or make additional purchases. The additional supplies are expected to be introduced domestically by the end of March.

Meanwhile, the CDCH explained that there has been no review regarding changes to the prescription system for oral antiviral treatments for home-treated patients. Currently, Paxlovid prescriptions are targeted at those aged 60 and above, immunocompromised individuals, and patients in their 40s and 50s with underlying conditions.

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