Expanded access to Pfizer’s oral antiviral for mild to moderate COVID-19

From 1 April 2023, the eligibility criteria for access to Pfizer’s oral Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will be expanded to include people between 60-69 years of age with mild to moderate COVID-19 with one additional risk factor for developing severe disease.

Paxlovid is the only COVID-19 oral anti-viral medicine to receive this expanded PBS eligibility criteria.

Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, said “More than one million Australians have already received their 2023 COVID-19 booster dose and around 7 in 10 of those boosters have gone to people aged 60 and over. If it has been six months since your last COVID vaccine or infection, you can now top up your protection with the latest vaccine. If you’re newly-eligible for the oral antiviral Paxlovid, I encourage you to talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner and develop a plan for if you test positive.” 

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval for Paxlovid based on positive results from the Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR trial, demonstrating 88% relative risk reduction in hospitalisation or death compared with placebo for patients who received treatment within five days from symptom onset with demonstrated consistent efficacy across prespecified patient types and a range of comorbidities.

Pfizer Australia and New Zealand Medical Director, Dr Krishan Thiru, said “As winter approaches, we anticipate a heightened impact of COVID-19 in the community, as has occurred in the previous three years. This widening of PBS eligibility criteria means many more Australians most at risk of severe disease may be able to access Paxlovid through the PBS if they test positive for COVID-19, and take treatment at home.”

Professor Robert Booy, Infectious Diseases Specialist, University of Sydney, encouraged the community to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.

“Vaccination remains the most effective way to help protect against COVID-19, and staying up to date with boosters is a first line of defence. Those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 should talk to their GP even before they test positive to COVID, to discuss if anti-viral medicines are right for them.” Professor Booy said.

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