BPOM Allows Nirmatrelvir as Oral Medicine for COVID-19

VIVA – The Food and Drug Administration or BPOM has approved the emergency use of Nirmatrelvir 150g/Ritonavir 100mg Film-Coated Tablets in Indonesia. Pfizer antivirus tablets as an oral medicine for COVID-19 in adults with certain conditions.

In a press statement, Pfizer said the tablets are intended for patients aged 18 years and over, who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of COVID-19 that becomes more severe.

The drug consists of nirmatrelvir, which is a 3CL protease inhibitor (better known as Main Protease or Mpro) that was specially developed in Pfizer laboratories to fight SARS-CoV-2.

This oral treatment should be taken within the first five days of the appearance of symptoms of infection and after a positive test result for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The Country Manager of PT Pfizer Indonesia, Nora T Siagian said BPOM will work quickly to issue an Emergency Use Permit.

"We give high appreciation to BPOM for working quickly through fast-track assessments to issue Emergency Use Permits," Nora T. Siagian said.

Pfizer is committed to seeking fair and equitable access to our COVID-19 oral treatment, namely Pfizer's antiviral oral treatment, for high-risk patients in need, to provide safe and effective oral therapy as soon as possible and at an affordable price.

“Approval for the use of this drug in Indonesia is an important milestone in our fight against COVID-19. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for the use of Pfizer's oral antiviral, while, at the same time our company is also trying to overcome the threat of new variants of COVID-19," She added.

In the future, Pfizer will offer oral therapy through a tiered pricing approach based on each country's income level to promote equal access worldwide.

High-income countries will pay more than low-income countries. To date, Pfizer supplies more than 12 million treatment packages to 37 countries worldwide.

"While vaccination remains an effective way to help prevent COVID-19, this oral therapy provides an important line of defense, which is to reduce hospitalizations and help save lives." Nora T. Siagian remarked.

"Reducing the number of hospitalizations can reduce medical costs associated with COVID-19 treatment and help ease the burden faced by community members who are on the front lines of the pandemic," Nora T. Siagian added.