The nation’s top doctors predict new antiviral treatments to fight Covid-19 will make the disease significantly more manageable and ensure the hospital system can easily cope with any future spike in post-lockdown cases.
The Australian Medical Association and leading virus experts say antiviral drugs – still under review in Australia – along with world-best vaccination rates could alleviate many cases of severe illness and allow some patients to avoid hospital altogether.
Pharmaceutical giants Merck, Sharp & Dohme and Pfizer have both announced stunning interim results of clinical trials of two new antiviral drugs that promise to slash hospitalisations if administered quickly.
MSD has announced its drug, molnupiravir, reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death from Covid-19 by 50 per cent in clinical trials. Pfizer’s drug, PF-07321332/ritonavir reduced hospitalisations and death by 89 per cent in interim analysis when administered within three days of symptom onset.
