From Monday 11 July, Australians over 70 testing positive to COVID-19 will be able to access oral antiviral treatments on the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme.
The two drugs, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, cost around $40 on the PBS and $6.80 for concession card holders.
Eligibility for the drugs is also expanded to those aged over 50 as well as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors for severe disease.
Immunocompromised adults as well as those living with severe disabilities who had access to the antivirals previously too, continue to do so.
Some 73,000 Australians have already accessed the medicines so far. Under the current eligibility criteria, the antivirals are restricted to people aged 65 and older facing particular risk and vulnerability factors.
The move comes in a bid to reduce COVID-19 hospitalisations across the country which currently stand at 4,000, as authorities expect the number of infections to continue rising in the weeks ahead.
“We expect case numbers to continue to climb for some weeks yet. We’re still relatively early in winter. Hospitals are pressured by influenza as well as a range of other illnesses,” Health Minister Mark Butler said speaking to ABC’s Insiders on Sunday.
Expanded access to the antiviral drugs follows the renewed advice by ATAGI this week in relation to the fourth dose which is now recommended to anyone over 50, while those aged 30 to 49 may also choose to have it.
“There’s real pressure and health authorities are worried that hospitalisations would climb even more quickly which is why we acted so quickly to get the fourth dose broadened, and I announced a much broader access to these very effective antiviral medicines,” Mr Butler said, pointing to an increased risk for re-infection in the current Omicron wave.
“The unique thing about this particular wave, which is driven by two new subvariants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5, is that people are getting re-infected. The fact you had Covid earlier this year, the fact you may have only had Covid a couple of months ago, does not necessarily protect you from getting infected again.”
The antiviral treatments, taken as a tablet or capsule, must be started as soon as a person develops symptoms.
Patients with contraindications for the drugs include those pregnant or breastfeeding as well as those suffering severe kidney or liver disease.
Anyone interested in the antiviral drugs should speak to their GP.-
