Summary :
EMA’s human medicines committe has recommended granting conditional marketing authorisation for the oral antiviral medicine Paxlovid (PF-07321332 / ritonavir) for the treatment of COVID-19. The applicant is Pfizer Europe MA EEIG.
The Committee recommended authorising Paxlovid for treating COVID-19 in adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk of the disease becoming severe.
Paxlovid is the first antiviral medicine to be given by mouth that is recommended in the EU for treating COVID-19. It contains two Active Substances , PF-07321332 and ritonavir, in two different tablets. PF-07321332 works by reducing the ability of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to multiply in the body while ritonavir prolongs the action of PF-07321332 enabling it to remain longer in the body at levels that affect the multiplication of the virus.
EMA
In reaching its conclusion, the CHMP evaluated data from a study involving patients with COVID-19 showing that treatment with Paxlovid significantly reduced hospitalisations or deaths in patients who have at least one underlying condition putting them at risk of severe COVID-19. The analysis was done in patients who received Paxlovid or placebo (dummy treatment) within 5 days after COVID-19 symptoms began and who did not receive, nor were expected to receive, treatment with antibodies. Over the month following treatment, 0.8% (8 out of 1,039) of the patients receiving Paxlovid were hospitalised for longer than 24 hours, compared with 6.3% (66 out of 1,046) of those who received placebo. There were no deaths in the Paxlovid group and 9 deaths in the placebo group.
The majority of patients in the study were infected with the Delta variant. Based on laboratory studies, Paxlovid is also expected to be active against Omicron and other variants.
The safety profile of Paxlovid was favourable and side effects were generally mild. However, ritonavir is known to affect the action of many other medicines, and warnings and advice have been included in Paxlovid’s product information. In addition, the company has provided a drug interaction tool on its website which can be accessed through a QR code included in the product information and on the outer carton. A letter will be sent to relevant healthcare professionals’ organisations to further remind them of the issue. The CHMP concluded that the medicine’s benefits are greater than its risks for the approved use and will now send its recommendations to the European Commission for a rapid decision applicable in all EU Member States.
Where to find more information
The product information for Paxlovid contains information for healthcare professionals, a package Leafler for members of the public and details of conditions of the medicine’s authorisation.