Question NW786 to the Minister of Health
01 April 2022 - NW786
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, in light of the fact that we as the Republic have not reached our target of vaccinations due to a variety of reasons, of which one is the hype around the COVID-19 injections and that Cipla is one of several applicants who are awaiting approval from the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority, it would not be more feasible and/or achievable if we could introduce and/or provide a second option to COVID-19 vaccine injections in the form of COVID-19 pills like the Molnupiravir and/or Paxlovid; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The oral antivirals, Molnupiravir and Paxlovid® (ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir), are indicated for use in the treatment of COVID-19 infections. These antivirals are indicated for use in ambulant patients and not in patients with more severe disease. Therefore the benefit of these agents for widespread use requires careful consideration as not all patients would be eligible to receive these traetmnets. Furthermore, the clinical trials for both agents were conducted in the unvaccinated population.
Additionally, Paxlovid is associated with significant drug-drug interactions with many commonly used agents in the management of comorbidities such as diabetes, epilepsy and HIV, i.e. high risk populations for COVID-19 infections. Significant training will be required to ensure its safe use in the target populations.
The aim of vaccination is to prevent morbidity and mortality. Vaccination has been proven to be a key intervention to prevent infections, or the severity of infections, in order to reduce the loss of life and to mitigate the public health and economic impact of the pandemic and end the acute phase of the global pandemic.
END.