Life-saving Covid drug to be available on PBS

A NEW antiviral pill that cuts the risk of hospitalisation or death from Covid-19 by 88 per cent will soon be rolled out to at-risk Aussies for as little as $6.80. Paxlovid, a prescriptiononly oral medication used to treat mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19, will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from May 1, Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced.

The drug can be used by people who are at “high risk of developing severe disease” from Covid-19 and with mild to moderate symptoms of the virus, reducing the need for hospitalisation.

Mr Hunt said final data from the drug’s trial revealed Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death by 88 per cent when taken within five days of symptom onset.

Half a million courses of the drug have been secured for supply this year.

People who develop these mild symptoms can be prescribed Paxlovid if they are over 65 and have two other risk factors for severe disease, or if they are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin and are over 50 with two other risk factors for serious disease.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can also be prescribed the drug.