Availability of oral antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the requirement for an ethical prescribing approach.

ABSTRACT: The first two oral antivirals, molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, are now becoming available in many countries. These medicines will be indicated to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in non-hospitalised patients who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. These antivirals should be prescribed within 5 days of symptom onset, and after SARS-CoV-2 infection has been confirmed. However, the availability of these antivirals will be scarce for some time due to manufacturing constraints. Each country should establish a policy on the conditions under which these antivirals can be prescribed. Such a policy should be based on the fulfilment of five ethical elements: transparency, relevance, appeals, enforcement, and fairness. Following the principles of distributive justice, molnupir

SUBMITTER: Dal-Re R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8963769 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature