A Beenleigh pharmacist says demand for oral Covid-19 medication has halved since December, despite changes to make the drug more accessible.
Chemist Warehouse Beenleigh pharmacist Bobby Yip said sales of the anti-viral pills at his store peaked in December last year.
“But now we’re selling half the amount we sold in the peak period,” Mr Yip said.
“We sold around 40 boxes in December, [whereas] we sold around 20 boxes last month (June).”
The Paxlovid pill – created by Pfizer – is available to all people aged 70-plus and, since 1 July, people aged 50-and-over with a risk of developing a severe disease.
Prior to this month, people aged 50-59 were required to have two additional risk factors for developing a severe disease.
Other demographics able to get the medication are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30-and-older with a risk of developing severe disease;
- Adults (18-plus) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and
- Adults who have been previously hospitalised from Covid-19, if subsequently reinfected.
Logan City pharmacist Joshua Luck said it was important to take the medication quickly following a positive diagnosis for it to have a full effect.
“The trouble with these medications is if patients take it too late, it doesn’t really do as much for them,” Mr Luck said.
“We’re doing a few every month, and as it gets colder, we get a few more come through.
“But I don’t think people are testing as much as they used to.”
Mr Yip said increased protection against the virus – either from infection or immunisation – was probably the reason for the decline in Paxlovid demand.
“Most people have already caught Covid… so they have exposure to the virus and they’re less likely to catch it again for six months,” he said.
“And they’re vaccinated so they have a better immunity against the symptoms.”
Both pharmacists said they would recommend anyone with symptoms to get tested.
“We still recommend cold and flu medicine for people with symptoms,” Mr Yip said.
“If they’re elderly, or if they have any other medical history, I will refer for them to see a doctor as soon as possible to see if they need any anti-viral tablets.
