The arrival of Pfizer's antiviral tablet is expected soon in Cyprus, the Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Elena Panagiotopoulou, who said that this particular pill called Paxlovid was approved on Thursday evening by the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for early use.
According to Dr. Panagiotopoulou it is the second antiviral pill for the treatment of Covid-19 to be approved by the EMA on an emergency basis, 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.
This is an antiviral pill which, according to the manufacturer, is up to 90% effective in preventing hospitalisations and deaths from coronavirus for patients in high-risk groups and, according to the latest laboratory data, the drug also retains its efficacy against the Omicron mutation.
Novavax also approved on Monday
In addition, the Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Ministry of Health told the Cyprus News Agency that the approval of the Novavax vaccine, also known as NVX-CoV2373, by the EMA is expected next Monday.
Approval for use, not licensing
As Dr. Panagiotopoulou, Paxlovid has not been licensed by the EMA, however, it has been approved under the emergency procedure for early use 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.
Dr Panagiotopoulou also said that Pfizer's antiviral pill "will be a tremendous innovation"and is a very promising new weapon in the battle against the pandemic, since it can be administered at home at the onset of disease.
When and how it will be administered
Talking to CNA Dr Panagiotopoulou said that this pill consists of a combination of two substances, through taking two pills at the same time, for five days.
She also said that it is indicated for the prevention of serious disease and death in people belonging to vulnerable groups, for example in people with diabetes, hypertension, as well as obese people over 60 years of age.
In response to a question, he said that it has excellent results, however, there are many contraindications, since there are, as he explained, many interactions in combination with other drugs.
He stressed that this pill cannot be given to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Asked when Cyprus will receive it, Dr Panagiotopoulou said that "Cyprus is participating in the joint procurement process", however, she noted that it is not yet known when it will come to Cyprus.
He said the Ministry of Health will contact the manufacturer directly and through the joint supply process once the Pfizer pill is supplied to Europe it will also be supplied to Cyprus.
How Novavax is expected to act
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 recognize the protein particles as foreign and produce natural antibody and T cell defenses 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.
The immune system's antibodies and cells can protect against COVID-19 by killing the virus through synergy, preventing it from entering the body's cells and destroying infected cells.
Source: CNA
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