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Updated December 29th, 2021 at 07:47 IST

COVID-19: Germany to purchase one million doses of Pfizer's anti-viral pill Paxlovid

On Dec 28, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced that Germany will purchase a million packages of Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral medicine against COVID.

Reported by: Aparna Shandilya
COVID-19
Image: AP | Image:self
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On December 28, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced that Germany will purchase a million doses of Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral medicine against COVID-19, DPA news agency reported. The first batches of Paxlovid is scheduled to launch in January.  

According to the media agency, the minister added, "It is an extremely promising medication, as timely taking of the medicine significantly reduces the probability of a grave course of the disease."

Paxlovid is for patients with a mild or moderate course of disease who are at high risk of hospitalisation or death. According to Pfizer, the pills reduce the incidence of COVID-related hospitalisation by at least 88 percent in high-risk groups. In Germany, almost 70% of the population has been properly vaccinated against COVID-19.

Germany announced first death from Omicron on Thursday

Germany announced the first death caused by the Omicron coronavirus strain on Thursday. Prior to that, Lauterbach stated that BioNTech vaccines customised to Omicron will be delivered to the country in the first quarter of 2022. COVID-19 is becoming a "less and less frightening disease" with the combination of vaccine and therapy, according to Lauterbach, who also stated that Germany collaborates with all manufacturers of these medicines, according to the media agency.

Lauterbach further added, "together with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, I initiated the procedure of emergency approval of the medicine in Germany, so that Paxlovid could be used right after purchase."

Paxlovid might be dangerous when taken with other medicines

According to a recent revelation, Paxlovid's antiviral medicines against COVID may not be healthy for everyone. According to NBC, when doctors and pharmacists thoroughly examined the pills, they found that they can be fatal when combined with other medications. Paxlovid's treatment consists of two pills administered daily for five days. It has been approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid in children as young as 12 years old who have underlying illnesses that increase the risk of hospitalisation and mortality from the coronavirus.

Two tablets of the antiviral nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir make up the Paxlovid cocktail. Paxlovid, on the other hand, is not recommended by the FDA for patients who have severe kidney and liver illnesses. This is because one of the two drugs in the antiviral cocktail could have serious side effects when used with commonly used pharmaceuticals. These drugs include statins, blood thinners, and antidepressants.

(With inputs from agencies)

Image: AP

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Published December 29th, 2021 at 07:47 IST

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