South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela indicated that as Covid-19 is a looming threat, the Sahpra has registered Paxlovid as a treatment.

Paxlovid an anti-viral medicine manufactured by Pfizer that treats mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk for progression to severe Covid-19.

Paxlovid is a 5-day tablet treatment with morning and evening doses.

Its side-effects include hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhoea, vomiting, and altered taste.

Semete-Makokotlela explained that Sahpra is committed to fast-tracking the registration of all health products that are of an urgent nature such as HIV-Aids, cancer and Covid-19.