Pharmacy Daily | Lagevrio listed on PBS

MSD'S oral COVID-19 treatment, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The move follows the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee's recommendation that the medication be listed for patients in high-risk groups who have tested positive for COVID-19 (PD 28 Feb).

Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, welcomed the decision to fast-track the listing of Lagevrio as an important step in providing treatment for people with COVID-19.

"This is a great a solution for the care of patients and the management of the disease," Twomey said.

"This should be the forerunner of other treatments being made available on the PBS and I urge other companies with treatments to follow the process to achieve Section 85 listing.

"Having these treatments available on the PBS is in the best interests of patients across the whole country."

Brisbane-based Infectious Disease specialist, Dr Paul Griffin also said the listing of the first oral COVID-19 treatment on the PBS was a positive move for patients.

"Access to an oral treatment through the PBS will allow many at-risk people to be treated at home, which is a win-win-win for these patients, the community and our hospital system," he said.

"Taken twice daily for five days, Lagevrio is likely to play an important role in treating eligible, at-risk patients diagnosed with COVID-19."

With Pfizer's oral COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), also approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Twomey called on all companies with COVID-19 treatments to apply for their products to be listed on the PBS as soon as possible.

"Patients are asking for these treatments, and as we move into the phase of management of the disease, access to these medicines is essential," he said.