Free Paxlovid for Covid-19 patients offered at health clinics

PETALING JAYA: The antiviral drug Paxlovid is available for free for Covid-19 patients at private health facilities and government health clinics, which will help with the rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar said Paxlovid would help prevent an increase in the severity of cases.

Paxlovid is the first oral antiviral drug available in Malaysia that treats Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms or Categories 2 and 3.

The use of the antiviral drug started in health facilities under the ministry on April 15.

A government pharmacist who requested anonymity said Paxlovid is available at selected government health clinics (klinik kesihatan).

“Patients can get tested for Covid-19, for example, at the Kuala Lumpur klinik kesihatan or HKL fever centre.

“If they are tested positive and are under Category 2 and 3, the doctors attending to them will consider whether they need to be prescribed with the antiviral drug,” she said.

She added that the prescription of the antiviral drug is no longer limited to high-risk group of Covid-19 patients.

“The requirement for the use of Paxlovid is now very low but there are requirements such as that it cannot be prescribed to breastfeeding and pregnant patients, or those who require oxygen support,” she said, adding that it could be prescribed for both inpatient and outpatient care of Covid-19 patients.

A government doctor who also requested anonymity said attending doctors would conduct assessments on Covid-19 patients to determine whether they are eligible to receive the prescription of Paxlovid.

“They will look for any exclusion criteria first which may include those below 18, anyone with allergies to the components in this drug, those with liver or renal impairment or Covid-19 patients who are pregnant,” he said, adding that patients with Covid-19 Category 1, 4 and 5 would also be excluded.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on June 22 said provision of the drug to patients at private health facilities is free but patients are still subject to consultation charges and other related charges determined by the private health facility.

He had earlier said priority would be given to the high-risk group of Covid-19 patients and the group that would receive the medicine will be expanded.