At the end of last week, another 20 799 packs of Paxlovid for treatment of COVID-19 arrived in the Slovak territory. As a result, Slovakia is adequately supplied for the next period. Treatment with Paxlovid 150 mg + 100 mg is indicated in adult patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease with confirmed COVID-19 disease by RT-PCR, LAMP test or antigen test by the test authority.
The Ministry of Health has provided Slovak patients with sufficient supplies of Paxlovid for the next period. After experience with the summer wave COVID-19, however, it wants to avoid several negative phenomena in advance, which complicated the distribution of antivirals in Slovakia in the past. One of these phenomena was, for example, the accumulation of medicinal products into the stocking and possibly prescribing without confirmation of the disease.
The Ministry of Health believes that the fight against COVID-19 must be based on solidarity, while the key task is to protect groups that are threatened by a difficult course. Therefore, prior to initiation of the product, confirmation of the disease by PCR test or antigen test from one of the test authorities is required. These are facilities where testing is carried out by trained personnel such as MOM and where the test person receives the relevant evidence of the outcome. It will not be possible to use a home antigen test for the indication, i.e. prescribe the product. The same rule applies also for Lagevrio indication. Updated guidance MZ SR is published on the Ministry's website: https://www.health.gov.sk/?coid-19-metholice- guidelines.
Paxlovid continues to be used in patients with COVID-19 who are at increased risk of having a severe disease. The initiation of the medicine will take place within five days of the onset of symptoms.
Risk groups include patients over 60 years of age, patients with chronic cardiovascular disease in the heart failure stage, diabetes with advanced chronic complications, neurological diseases, chronic lung disease or arterial hypertension.

Veclury containing the active substance remdezivir is also available in hospital facilities. It can be given by intravenous infusion to adult patients who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Lagevrio with the active substance molnupiravir is also available in hospitals.