Recently licensed by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) to be bought in pharmacies, Paxlovid — a confirmed efficient treatment in opposition to Covid — should hit the cabinets at a price of BRL 2,700.
Because the federal authorities has up to now solely mandated 100,000 doses of medication To be distributed all through Pfizer’s public well being community, the remedy might find yourself being “elitist”, assesses Alexandre Neim, vp of the SBI (Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases).
Only 100 thousand doses for SUS. Paxlovide was authorised in the United States in December final yr, with 89% effectiveness in opposition to hospitalizations and deaths in the aged and immunocompromised. However, a month in the past, the US authorities had already introduced the buy of 10 million doses.
In Brazil, the Anvisa authorised the drug in March?? In May, its distribution to the SUS was authorised, however, in August, the authorities was nonetheless in “negotiations” for the buy.
At the time, Pfizer stated it had “ample manufacturing capability” to satisfy “Brazil’s wants”.
When the deal closed, the authorities bought 100,000 doses to distribute amongst 26 states and the Federal District. solely 50 thousand had been delivered on September 29, whereas the relaxation are anticipated to reach in “early 2023”. UOL Ministry of Health.
So way over 30 million doses have been distributed in 43 international locations.
R$ 2,700 in pharmacies? While the authorities awaits the remaining shipments, Anvisa licensed the sale of Paxlovid in pharmacies and personal hospitals on November 21.
Pfizer stated UOL Try to “make the drug obtainable as rapidly as potential” on a non-public community, however didn’t estimate a date or price.
For the United States Government, each remedy, which lasts 5 days, prices US$ 530 (R$ 2,700 in in the present day’s values). In France, it prices R$2,800.
“An elite market will be created”Maine Betts, who, in addition to being SBI’s vp, is a researcher and professor of epidemiology at Unesp (Sao Paulo State University).
The pharmaceutical trade, understanding that the public order is small, has requested to promote privately, which is already licensed and should attain pharmacies in December.
Alexandre Neim, Vice President of the Brazilian Society of Infectology
Invited by the elected federal authorities to assist with the transition, Naim stated that at a gathering in November he steered “contracting with laboratories to purchase extra portions for the transitional authorities”.
“Now there’s a confirmed and legitimate treatment, it’s a must to use it”, he argues.
Lawyer Washington Fonseca, an knowledgeable in medical legislation, says that “it is a very small quantity unquestionably”, however he remembers that the demand is “nice worldwide” and “it’s essential to confirm how a lot Pfizer has made obtainable to the authorities”, a query that Neither the Ministry of Health nor Pfizer has given a solution.
The lawyer says, nevertheless, that “SUS should be privileged” as a result of those that rely on it will not have the cash to purchase it.
How does the drug work?
What does paxlovid appear to be? It consists of two medicines taken collectively: every dose incorporates two pink Nirmatrelvir tablets and one white ritonavir pill.
Paxlovide tablets
Image: Reuters
While the first inhibits the launch of virus replication proteins, the second reduces the assimilation of the first tablet by the physique, which, in massive quantities in the blood, fights the virus.
Need a prescription? Yes, to purchase Paxlovid At the pharmacy you will have to current the prescription.
when Write it? According to the infectologist, the medication should be taken Symptoms solely in the first 5 days and is advisable for sufferers with reasonable Covid-19, supplied they’re aged or older than 18 years and have confirmed comorbidities.
This medication is good for aged and immunosuppressed individuals who might have extreme covid, additionally vaccinated with all 4 doses. These are teams that do not produce antibodies like the relaxation of the inhabitants.”
Alexandre Neim, Infectologist
How lengthy does it take? Twice a day for 5 days in most circumstances.
What is the contradiction?
- Take tablets after the fifth day of signs;
- Patients weighing lower than 40 kg;
- People with extreme kidney failure, extreme liver failure or suspected cirrhosis.
Who should be cautious? Pregnant girls, lactating moms, sufferers with reasonable renal failure, lactose intolerance and diabetics.
Are there any opposed results? The most frequent reactions in lower than 1% of circumstances are:
- diarrhea;
- headache;
- arterial hypertension;
- nausea;
- Vomit