Pretoria The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has registered Paxlovid, an anti-viral medicine manufactured by Pfizer, to treat Covid-19.
Paxlovid, which contains Nirmatrelvir (150mg) and Ritonavir (100mg), is a medicine that is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk for progression to severe Covid-19.
Paxlovid consists of tablets for a five-day oral treatment regimen, with morning and evening doses.
Expected side effects include hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhoea, vomiting, and altered taste.
A shelf-life of 12 months is approved for Paxlovid when stored at or below 25 °C.
SAHPRA is committed to fast tracking the registration of all health products that are of an urgent nature such as HIV-AIDS, cancer, and Covid-19,” said SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.
“As Covid-19 is a looming threat, the registration of Paxlovid heralds a welcome signal in the fight against this pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health has announced that additional Covid-19 vaccine booster doses have been made available at all active vaccination sites across the country from Monday, (30 January 2023).
Earlier this month Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla revealed that his department had been inundated with requests from fully-vaccinated members of the public, especially the most vulnerable groups, seeking to maintain and enhance their protection against current and evolving Covid variants.
“This means, that from today (30 January 2023), all adults aged 50 years and older will be eligible for a total of five vaccine doses, while those aged between 18 and 49 years will be eligible to receive another dose to make a total of four doses of either J&J or Pfizer vaccine,” explained Health Departmental Spokesperson Foster Mohale on Monday.
The waiting period between the last dose and this additional dose should be at least 180 days or six months.
All adults aged 18 years and older who are registered on the EVDS as being immunocompromised will also be eligible to receive an additional booster dose 180 days after their last dose.
“The vaccination schedule for adolescents between 12 and 17 years remains unchanged,” said Mohale.
“This means the age group remains eligible to receive two doses.
“The EVDS has been updated to accommodate these changes and vaccinators have been informed accordingly.”
Mohale said the department has integrated Covid vaccination services into primary health services, and efforts are being made, working with provinces to update the lists of vaccination sites on an ongoing basis and make these accessible to the public.
Vaccination remains the most effective weapon against the pandemic, especially as new variants and sub-variants are detected in various parts of the world.
“Those who experience known Covid-19 symptoms such as flu-like symptoms including body aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and/or taste loss are encouraged to visit a health facility,” said Mohale.
