The Ministry of Health, National Commission for Combating Covid-19 (“NCCC”) and commission in charge of medical drug supply have authorised and arranged for the import of Pfizer’s Paxlovid pill to treat Covid-19 in patients aged 12 years and older.

Paxlovid will be available from May 30 at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications – on Monivong Boulevard just north of the train station – at $95 per five-day course, with a $105 resale price cap, the NCCC said in a May 27 press statement.

Individuals will be able to purchase up to five courses, while pharmacies, clinics and private hospitals will be allowed to buy 10-50.

Similarly, molnupiravir – locally marketed as Molnatris – for patients aged 18 and over, will still be on sale for $50 a course at the telecoms ministry, with a $60 resale price cap. Individuals will be able to purchase up to 10 courses, while pharmacies, clinics and private hospitals will be allowed to buy 10-100.

Multiple orders for either drug must be placed at least one week apart, the NCCC said, warning that breaching price cap rules may result in legal action.

It suggested that patients be treated with Paxlovid only if they exhibit mild to moderate symptoms, and that the pills should be taken after a meal.

The NCCC explained that a single-course Paxlovid box comprises two bottles – one with a red label containing 20 pills of nirmatrelvir 150mg, and another with a green label with 10 pills of ritonavir 100mg. Two nirmatrelvir pills and one ritonavir pill are to be taken twice daily for five days.