Sahpra registered the oral medicine to treat those with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms who do not require supplemental oxygen.
FILE: Sahpra said when stored at or below 25 °C, a shelf-life of twelve months was approved for Paxlovid. Picture: Pixabay.com
CAPE TOWN – The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) registered an oral anti-viral medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 – a first for South Africa.
Called Paxlovid, the medicine is used in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who do not require supplemental oxygen.
Medical scientists, however, said patients that receive this medication were at an increased risk of the disease progressing to a more severe form.
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The World Health Organization’s emergency committee recently assessed the global status of the coronavirus pandemic, and declared that it remained a public health emergency of international concern.
“Paxlovid consists of tablets for a 5-day oral treatment regimen, with morning and evening doses. Expected side-effects include hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhoea, vomiting, and altered taste,” said Sahpra spokesperson Yuven Gounden.
Sahpra said when stored at or below 25 °C, a shelf-life of twelve months was approved for Paxlovid.
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