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Monday, May 12, 2025
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Oral Covid drugs prescribed in Hong Kong are safe, says govt
All oral drugs prescribed to Covid patients have been tested and confirmed by the drug manufacturers as safe and effective, the government said in response to extending two oral Covid drugs’ shelf life and emphasised that it is an established practice in the global pharmaceutical industry.
The government spokesman also reiterated that the local supply of oral Covid drugs is sufficient.
Since April 2022, the government began providing private doctors with two oral Covid drugs – Paxlovid and Molnupiravir – procured by the Hospital Authority, for free prescription to eligible Covid patients.
“Registration holders of both Covid oral drugs have submitted supporting reports and information on the extension of product shelf life after the drugs were marketed. At present, Paxlovid is approved for a shelf life of 24 months while that for Molnupiravir is 30 months,” the spokesman said.
The government stressed that the arrangement does not affect the efficacy and safety of the drugs, adding that the authorities have also notified the medical staff of public hospitals and private doctors about that.
After a pharmaceutical product’s launch, stability testing will continue to ensure that it meets the product specification requirement, including the shelf life. Manufacturers can apply to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong to extend the shelf life once the relevant supporting data is obtained.
Since April 2022, the government began providing private doctors with two oral Covid drugs – Paxlovid and Molnupiravir – procured by the Hospital Authority, for free prescription to eligible Covid patients.
“Registration holders of both Covid oral drugs have submitted supporting reports and information on the extension of product shelf life after the drugs were marketed. At present, Paxlovid is approved for a shelf life of 24 months while that for Molnupiravir is 30 months,” the spokesman said.
The government stressed that the arrangement does not affect the efficacy and safety of the drugs, adding that the authorities have also notified the medical staff of public hospitals and private doctors about that.
After a pharmaceutical product’s launch, stability testing will continue to ensure that it meets the product specification requirement, including the shelf life. Manufacturers can apply to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong to extend the shelf life once the relevant supporting data is obtained.
