What’s new: More Chinese residents will have access to U.S. pharma giant Pfizer Inc.’s Paxlovid as China looks to meet the high demand for the Covid drug, according to an infectious disease expert.
The country’s Covid playbook recommends three antiviral drugs, including Paxlovid, which will be “gradually made available at all medical institutions and at the community level,” said Wang Guiqiang, head of the infectious diseases department at Peking University First Hospital, during a press conference held by the State Council Tuesday.
“Infected people, especially those at high risk of developing severe disease, should use these drugs appropriately under the guidance of a doctor,” he added.
Wang also said that recent Covid cases include older adults who also have underlying conditions and are unvaccinated, and that early prevention is necessary for these adults at high risk of developing severe symptoms.
The background: China has suffered a surge in infections after sharply easing Covid restrictions early this month. Across the country, demand has exploded for fever and cold medicines as well as Paxlovid, though access to the Covid pill has been very limited.
Currently, domestic patients who want to buy Paxlovid have to visit designated Covid hospitals and some high-end private hospitals. But several of the former hospitals offer less than 1,000 boxes of Paxlovid each for hospitalized patients, while private hospitals must go through a rigorous approval process to prescribe the drug, Caixin has learned.
The supply is far from adequate, making it difficult for many elderly Covid patients to obtain Paxlovid at the hospital. Some even missed the optimal time to take the drug.
Last week, at least one online-only hospital prescribed the drug with a promise of delivery, but its service was suspended shortly thereafter.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
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