Most modern Covid drug has arrived in Serbia: Who is it for and when is it administered?

Photo: Shutterstock

The antiviral drug Paxlovid, one of the most modern drugs against coronavirus, has arrived in Serbia.

Recommended

Our country is the first in continental Europe to receive this medicine. Paxlovid was developed by Pfizer, and according to this company that cites clinical trials, it reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in patients whose health is already compromised by 89 percent.

Paxlovid is an antiviral drug that contains two components, ritonavir and nirmatrelvir, and is intended for oral use.

Who is Paxlovid for?

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the use of Paxlovid last week, stating that the drug should be given to patients who do not need oxygen therapy and are at risk of developing more severe forms of Covid.

The role of antiviral drugs is primarily to prevent the multiplication of the virus in the early phase of the disease and thus prevent its spread.

"The drug Paxlovid is administered orally, preferably in the first three days after the onset of symptoms in patients over 18, in the early stages of the disease, to those who have an associated risk factors (at least one) for developing severe Covid forms, and/or risk hospitalization," Professor Dr. Sanja Radojevic Skodric, director of the Republic Health Insurance Fund (RFZO) told Telegraf.rs.

Minister of Health Dr. Zlatibor Loncar stressed that the vaccine remains the primary weapon in the fight against the virus, and that the drug Paxlovid is an additional effort of the state to preserve the health of citizens.

"We are not fighting to get to the point where people get sick and need treatment, but for that not to happen at all, and for people to be vaccinated and not get to a stage where they have to use any medicine. And this is a form of our responsibility as a state and the success of the state, that we promised and that we are fulfilling," said Loncar.

(Telegraf.rs)