Australia widens access to COVID-19 treatments

All Australians aged over 70 who test positive to COVID-19 will be able to access antivirals on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Access will also be expanded to people aged over 50 with two or more risk factors for severe disease, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors for severe disease. Immunocompromised people over 18 may also be eligible. COVID-19 can be very serious for adults in high-risk groups, even when they are fully vaccinated. For these people, new oral antiviral treatments help keep people out of hospital, reduce the pressure on our health system, and can save lives. More than 73,000 Australians have already benefited from these medicines. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended the changes in response to the latest evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the medicines, current usage data and the changing epidemiology of COVID-19. Following PBAC’s advice, the government has also expanded the criteria to include people who have a broader range of chronic respiratory issues. There is also greater access for adults living with disability who have multiple medical conditions.