[Long COVID Attack] 500,000 Doses in Stockpile... Expansion of Oral Treatment Eligibility 'Under Review'

Weekly Paxlovid Usage Decreases Over a Month
Transition Team, Experts "Prescription Should Be Expanded to Age 12"

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As the COVID-19 pandemic shifts into a declining phase, there is growing demand to actively utilize oral antiviral treatments, which now have more available supply. Experts are calling for the expansion of oral antiviral prescriptions from primarily those aged 60 and above to individuals aged 12 and older. According to health authorities on the 27th, the usage of oral antiviral treatments has decreased weekly since the third week of last month, when the COVID-19 wave peaked. Paxlovid usage was 39,269 cases in the fourth week of last month, 36,538 cases in the fifth week, followed by 29,646 cases in the first week of this month, 25,242 cases in the second week, and 15,983 cases in the third week.

The reduction in oral antiviral prescriptions is influenced by the scale of confirmed cases. During the peak of the Omicron wave in the third week of last month, the incidence rate was 779.3 cases per 100,000 people, but it dropped to 163.1 cases per 100,000 people in the third week of this month. Despite health authorities expanding prescription channels?such as enabling in-hospital prescriptions at nursing hospitals, care facilities, and psychiatric hospitals using supplies from public health centers starting from the 6th of this month?the number of prescriptions has declined. Paxlovid prescriptions are also complicated due to many contraindicated concomitant medications. There are a total of 28 medications that cannot be taken together with Paxlovid, 23 of which are available domestically. Among these, 5 medications require a waiting period before Paxlovid can be administered even after stopping the medication.

According to the initial approval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Paxlovid can be administered to individuals aged 12 and older weighing at least 40 kg. However, considering the limited domestic supply at the time of its first introduction, authorities restricted prescriptions to those aged 65 and older or immunocompromised patients among home treatment and residential treatment center residents. Subsequently, as additional supplies were introduced and the Omicron wave spread, the eligible group expanded to include those aged 60 and above, immunocompromised individuals, and patients in their 40s and 50s with underlying conditions. As of the 21st, the domestic stockpile of Paxlovid stands at 505,940 doses, with an additional 236,000 doses under contract to be introduced.

The Presidential Transition Committee has also proposed expanding Paxlovid administration to those aged 12 and older. Hong Kyung-hee, deputy spokesperson for the committee, stated, "We are considering expanding the prescription target to ‘patients aged 12 and older with underlying conditions’ and allowing prescriptions at local clinics and hospitals." The health authorities included plans to expand the institutions and age groups eligible for oral antiviral prescriptions in the ‘Post-Omicron Response Plan’ announced on the 15th, but currently, further review is deemed necessary. Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "Pediatric prescriptions are under clinical trials overseas, so scientifically it is a matter that can be reviewed," adding, "I understand there are no particular issues regarding side effects, but further review will be necessary."

Infectious disease experts emphasize the need to expand the prescription target now to utilize oral antiviral treatments effectively. Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "The remaining 500,000 doses can be used for about 100 days, and the wave will likely be over by then," stressing, "We should not hold back on the medication and should prescribe it to those aged 12 and older, as other countries do."

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