Some private hospitals in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai are among the first in China to offer treatment for COVID-19 using antiviral Paxlovid pills developed by the American company Pfizer.

The news came as the number of COVID patients increased in China after the country optimized its COVID-control measures with fewer checks and restrictions in late November.

Doctors said Paxlovid, which requires a prescription, is not available to all patients. "There's no need for patients with mild symptoms to take this medicine," Dr. Kelly Xia, general manager of Guangzhou United Family Hospital, told CGTN.

It is mainly for people who are at high risk of COVID-19, such as those aged over 65 or have chronic diseases, Xia said, adding that this medicine can prevent their condition from becoming more severe.

China's drug regulator – the National Medical Products Administration – granted conditional approval for the imports of Pfizer's Paxlovid COVID-19 pill in February 2022. 

The administration asked the drug's marketing authorization holder to continue its relevant research work, fulfill the conditions within the specified time and submit the following research results timely.

The medicine was reported to be sold online and soon sold out. There's little report of the drug's availability in other public hospitals yet. 

Paxlovid is one of the two oral medicines for COVID-19 treatment having been approved in China, and the other is Azvudine, developed by China's Genuine Biotech. 

According to Shandong Business Daily, Azvudine was available at a hospital in Jinan City, Shandong Province since December 16. The first batch of 5,000 boxes was sold out within 2 days.

Availability and affordability

Each round of Paxlovid costs patients 2,300 yuan (about $330) in China, while Azvudine is reportedly sold at 310 yuan.

The high price of Paxlovid has been controversial. 

Some residents suggested it may make the treatment less accessible to "ordinary people." Others said the cost is acceptable "if someone suffers from a chronic disease and needs the medication.

The hospital sells Paxlovid to patients at the same price that the medicine supplier charges it, Xia said. And there is zero profit for the hospital.

Local media earlier reported that the hospital charged patients who need a prescription extra fees. Xia denied the report. 

According to Xia, Paxlovid tablets have been made available to patients since December 22. Most of the patients aged over 80 were given the medicine on the first day available. The first batch of 200 boxes of Paxlovid was sold out by Friday evening.