COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment Increased by 200,000 Doses from Existing Supply... Purchase Contract for 1,204,000 Doses Signed

Additional Purchase of 200,000 Paxlovid Units
Lagrevio to Be Fully Used by the End of March

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The quarantine authorities have signed a contract to import 1,204,000 doses of oral COVID-19 treatments into the country.

On the 28th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that they decided to purchase 962,000 doses of Paxlovid and 242,000 doses of Lagevrio. This is an increase of 200,000 doses from the 1,004,000 doses initially announced on the 25th. The CDCH explained, "We changed the contract by purchasing an additional 200,000 doses on top of the original 762,000 doses of Paxlovid."

A total of 460,000 doses of oral treatments will be imported into the country between the end of March and April. Of the 84,000 doses of Paxlovid arriving at the end of March, 44,000 doses were already imported on the 25th. Among the 100,000 doses of Lagevrio, 20,000 doses were imported on the 24th, and 80,000 doses were imported on the 27th.

In April, 276,000 doses of Paxlovid are scheduled to be imported. However, the exact quantity is still under negotiation with the pharmaceutical companies.

Currently, the domestic stock of Paxlovid is 80,000 doses, and a total of 127,000 doses have been used. Since the first import of Lagevrio on the 24th, 500 doses have been used as of the 27th. The CDCH plans to supply 19,000 doses of Lagevrio to infectious disease specialized nursing hospitals, treatment base hospitals, and designated pharmacies by the 29th.

Meanwhile, the quarantine authorities are considering introducing a 'prophylactic antibody therapy' using Evusheld for immunocompromised individuals. Evusheld is an antibody preparation administered directly into the body to provide COVID-19 antibodies. Director Jeong Eun-kyung stated, "There are quite a few high-risk individuals, such as those who have undergone organ transplants or are receiving treatment for blood cancers, who do not develop sufficient immunity even after vaccination," adding, "We are considering introducing approved antibody treatments like Evusheld for preventive purposes."

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