PBS lists second oral coronavirus antiviral for GP use
The Federal Government added nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid) for older patients at high risk of disease progression on 1 May
GPs can now prescribe a second oral antiviral for treating COVID-19 patients who are at high risk of disease progression with nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid) added to the PBS on Sunday.
The Pfizer combination therapy is available on a script for over 65s with mild-to-moderate infection who meet certain criteria putting them at higher-than-average risk.
Before prescribing nirmatrelvir–ritonavir, which comes as two separate tablets to be taken together for five days, GPs will need to verify a patient’s positive PCR or RAT result and ensure they can start treatment in the first five days of symptoms.
The first oral antiviral for mild COVID-19 — molnupiravir (Lagevrio) — was listed on the PBS on 1 March.
