The arrival of Pfizer's antiviral tablet is expected in Cyprus in mid-February, the Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Elena Panagiotopoulou, who said that this particular pill, called Paxlovid, will cover the treatment of more than 15 thousand patients.
According to Dr. Panagiotopoulou this is the second antiviral pill to be received in Cyprus, which, according to the manufacturer, is effective up to 90% in preventing hospitalizations and deaths from coronavirus for patients belonging to high-risk groups.
Note that according to the latest laboratory data, the drug maintains its efficacy against the Omicron mutation
As Dr. Panagiotopoulou, Paxlovid was one of two drugs approved by the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) under the urgent early use procedure, in light of the rapid spread of the Omicron mutation and the increasing rates of infection and deaths due to COVID-19 across the EU, and noted that it is also the first of two drugs to be licensed.
For the other pharmaceutical product, Molnupiravir 200mg hard capsules, which is already available in Cyprus, Panagiotopoulou said it has only received approval from the EMA and is not yet licensed.
When is it expected in Cyprus
Asked when it will be received in Cyprus, Dr Panagiotopoulou said that the arrival of Paxlovid is expected in February and possibly 3rd or 4th week
[/P]She stressed that once it is secured in Europe it will be secured in Cyprus automatically.
Large quantities have been ordered
In response to a question, Dr Panagiotopoulou said that large quantities have been ordered, to note that the quantity to be received in Cyprus is to cover the treatment of more than 15,000 patients.
She also said that this drug has excellent results, however, she noted that there are many contraindications, as there are many interactions in combination with other drugs.
She stressed that this pill cannot be administered to pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as to people with liver and kidney failure.
For interactions in combination with other drugs, he said that the manufacturer will create a website where every doctor will have access and will be informed about the interactions.
Prescription by Personal Physicians and Specialists
The Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Ministry of Health said that the Pfizer pill will be prescribed by personal physicians and other specialists through the OAS system.
In addition, she said that people will only be able to obtain it from hospital pharmacies.
The protocol is already being prepared
Moreover, she told CNA that an Ad Hoc Committee has been set up in Cyprus, which defines the protocols and which has already started preparing the protocol for Paxlovid.
According to Dr. Panagiotopoulou, this protocol will guide doctors in relation to prescribing and what to look out for during this process.
At 125 Molnupiravir treatments, no reports of adverse side effects
In relation to the launch of Molnupiravir in Cyprus, she said that so far 125 Molnupiravir treatments have been given since the day of its launch.
According to Panagiotopoulou, no reports of adverse side effects have been observed so far.
End of February and Novavax in Cyprus
Asked when the Novavax protein vaccine is expected in Cyprus, the Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services said that it is expected at the end of February, as in the rest of Europe.
It is noted that like other vaccines, Nuvaxovid is expected to prepare the body to defend itself against infection. The vaccine contains tiny particles of a laboratory version of the protein found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 (spike (S) protein).
It also contains an "immune booster", a substance that helps boost immune responses to the vaccine.
When a person is given the vaccine, their immune system will recognise the protein particles as foreign and produce natural antibody and T cell defences against them.
If, later, the vaccinated person comes into contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the immune system will recognize the spike protein in the virus and be ready to attack.
Antibodies and immune system cells can protect against COVID-19 disease by killing the virus through synergy, preventing it from entering body cells and destroying infected cells.
Source: CNA
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