New Zealand's Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac) has confirmed funding for a fifth treatment for COVID-19.
Baricitinib, will be used for moderate to severe cases of COVID-19, with 500 courses expected to arrive in New Zealand in the next few weeks.
Baricitinib, an oral tablet, is not currently approved by NZ's Medsafe for treating COVID-19; however, Pharmac's Chief Executive, Sarah Fitt, notes that "clinical trials have shown baricitinib can help hospitalised COVID-19 patients, reducing severity of symptoms and time in hospital, and increasing survival".
Reference
Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC). Pharmac to fund baricitinib to treat moderate to severe cases of COVID-19. Internet Document : 5 Nov 2021. Available from: URL: https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/news/2021-11-5-media-release-pharmac-to-fund-baricitinib-to-treat-moderate-to-severe-cases-of-covid-19/
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NZ's Pharmac to fund baricitinib for moderate-to-severe COVID-19. PharmacoEcon Outcomes News 891, 35 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40274-021-08193-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40274-021-08193-6