"Paxlovid with Low Adherence, Supply Expansion Underway... 'Bitter Taste' Complaints Are Being 'Verified'"

On the 14th, the oral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid was delivered to a pharmacy in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] It has been a week since the oral COVID-19 treatment drug arrived in South Korea, but due to issues such as drug interactions, the number of patients receiving the medication remains extremely low, prompting the government to expand the eligible recipients and supply pharmacies.

According to authorities on the 21st, the prescription eligibility for Paxlovid, currently focused on high-risk groups such as those aged 65 and older or immunocompromised individuals, will be expanded to include those aged 60 and above starting from the 22nd. Although there were expectations that it would also be extended to patients with underlying conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer, this expansion has not yet been implemented.

Paxlovid began being administered to actual patients on the 14th. However, as of the 20th, only 109 prescriptions have been issued. There are 23 ingredients that should not be taken together with Paxlovid in South Korea alone, and many of these are related to medications for pre-existing conditions common among high-risk groups such as angina, hyperlipidemia, and arrhythmia, which has led to restrictions on prescriptions.

Considering these concerns, the age criterion will be lowered by 5 years, and the eligible recipients will be expanded not only to home treatment patients and those admitted to residential treatment centers but also to elderly care facilities, nursing hospitals, and infectious disease-dedicated hospitals. Medication administration at elderly care facilities began yesterday, and nursing hospitals will be able to start administering from the 22nd. Elderly care facilities will follow the current home treatment procedures for prescription and dispensing. When a designated medical institution prescribes the treatment, the designated pharmacy dispenses it, and it is delivered through contracted pharmacies or local governments. In nursing hospitals, when the medical staff prescribes the treatment, the responsible pharmacy dispenses it, and delivery is handled through pharmacies and local governments in charge of shipping.

For the 233 infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, considering future supply volumes, medication administration is expected to be possible starting from the 29th. Currently, 21,000 doses of Paxlovid have been imported into the country, with an additional 10,000 doses scheduled for import within this month. For the 21 dedicated nursing hospitals, 1,500 doses, equivalent to 50% of total beds, will be supplied in advance, allowing direct prescription and dispensing.

On the 14th, the oral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid was delivered to a pharmacy in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Additionally, to ensure stable dispensing and supply of the treatment even on weekends and holidays, the number of responsible pharmacies will be increased from the current 280 to 460 by the end of January, averaging 3 to 4 per city, county, or district.

The government plans to continuously promote medication administration for all age groups. Professor Cheon Eun-mi of Ewha Mokdong Hospital stated, "Clear guidelines on contraindicated drugs for treatment eligibility must be provided," adding, "Since it is possible to administer to those aged 12 and older, usage should be increased in the field." Currently, Paxlovid has received emergency use authorization from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for administration to adults with mild to moderate symptoms at high risk of severe progression and children aged 12 and older weighing 40 kg or more.

Meanwhile, regarding patients who complained of a prolonged bitter taste in the mouth after taking Paxlovid, Kwak Jin, head of the Patient Management Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "Paxlovid has started to be used, and we are monitoring the responses of those taking it," adding, "We are currently verifying the complaints of bitter taste with the pharmaceutical company."