Paxlovid, an antiviral medication from Pfizer, gets restricted emergency use approval in India. The 30 tablet course, consumed as three tablets twice daily for five days, effectively treats mild to moderate Covid infection and reduces the chances of hospitalization by 85 percent.
WHO strongly recommends Paxlovid
The orally administered drug is a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly recommended its use in mild to moderate Covid forms with the highest risk of hospitalization. The recommendation was made by WHO based on two randomized controlled trials involving 3078 patients in a high-risk group. However, it doesn’t suggest the usage of Paxlovid in low-risk people.
India to make generic version of the drug
A year back, Pfizer went in for a deal with the United Nations’ Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to provide royalty-free voluntary licenses of Paxlovid to drug manufacturers in 95 middle and low-income countries to manufacture the generic version of the medicine.
Of the 19 drug manufacturers in India in tie-up with MPP, Hyderabad-based Hetero Labs is the first to receive DCGI approval to manufacture Paxlovid. Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), which accelerated the medicine’s approval process considering the emergency need—in light of the Covid outbreak—gave its nod on Thursday.
Reference: The Economic Times, WHO