Press Releases

The Ministry of Health announces that as of 13 May 2022, the pharmaceutical product Paxlovid (PF-07321332 150 mg/ ritonavir 100 mg, coated tablets) may be  prescribed by doctors via the GHS information system to patients, who have been confirmed (via a laboratory PCR or Rapid Ag Test) with mild or moderate COVID-19 disease, who do not need hospitalisation due to severe or critical COVID-19 disease, within 5 days from the beginning of symptoms or the date of the test (whichever occurs first) and with at least one risk factor.

Prior to prescribing the medicine, doctors will be asked to answer a questionnaire, which will be posted in the GHS information system, in order to ensure that the medicine is only prescribed to patients who meet the criteria set by the ad-hoc Committee of the Ministry of Health for the creation and implementation of the relevant protocols concerning medication against COVID-19.

Paxlovid can be prescribed by the following doctors:

• Personal Doctors for adults
• Pathologists
• Doctors with Specialisation in Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonologists
• Hematologists
• Pathologists — Oncologists
• Cardiologists
• Nephrologists
• Neurologists
• Rheumatologists
• Endocrinologists
• Geriatricians
• Gastroenterologists
• Oncologists-Radiotherapists

The Paxlovid medicine will only be available at the following hospital pharmacies of the State Health Services Organisation: General Hospitals of Lefkosia, Lemesos, Larnaka, Ammochostos, Pafos, and, the Hospitals of Troodos and Polis Chrysochous.

It is aslo noted that the co-payment (1€) should NOT be collected for the Paxlovid medicine.

Important information about Paxlovid:

The Paxlovid medicine is licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

It is required to consult the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) regarding contraindications, special warnings/precautions and interactions of Paxlovid with other medicinal products.

The SmPC and all relevant product information are available at the following link:  https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/paxlovid#product-information-section.

Report of suspected side effects with Paxlovid

Healthcare professionals are requested to report any suspected adverse reactions, through the national reporting system, to the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health by electronic submission to the Yellow Card link or to the following contact details:

Pharmaceutical services

Ministry of Health

CY-1475 Lefkosia

Tel.: + 357 22608607

Fax: + 357 22608669

Website: www.moh.gov.cy/phs

(MPO/NG)