Thousands of Australians at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 disease1 will now be eligible to access an oral antiviral treatment taken over five days through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).2
MSD in Australia welcomes the Australian Government's announcement that LAGEVRIO® (molnupiravir) will be listed on the PBS from 1 March 2022 for eligible adults who test positive for COVID-19 and are at risk of developing severe disease requiring hospitalisation.2
The subsidy will be available to certain people who due to one or a combination of factors such as an existing medical condition, advancing age and other factors, and are deemed at-risk of severe disease, have not been hospitalised and do not require oxygen supplementation for confirmed COVID-19. 2
"Today's announcement is a landmark moment in Australia's response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," said Mr Prashant Nikam, Vice President & Managing Director, MSD Australia & New Zealand.
"The PBS listing of LAGEVRIO will help ensure eligible Australians receive access to this oral treatment option in a timely and equitable manner," he said.
"Sadly, COVID-19 has taken the lives of too many Australians. MSD is proud to have worked closely with the Australian Government to accelerate access to LAGEVRIO and provide an additional line of defence in the fight against COVID-19," he said.
With more than 200,000 courses of LAGEVRIO already in Australia,3 doctors will be able to prescribe the oral treatment to eligible patients who can then have their prescription dispensed and pay $6.80 (Concession) or $42.50 (General Patients) from a community pharmacy.
