To ensure medication safety, a notification of the drug interactions is added to the NHI MediCloud for the anti-viral oral drug Paxlovid (PF-07321332 packaged with ritonavir) which is used for the treatment of COVID-19. Medical professionals will be reminded to be mindful of the effects.
     Paxlovid is an enzyme (CYP3A) inhibitor, which may increase plasma concentration of many drugs metabolized by CYP3A enzymes. According to the medication instructions, Paxlovid shall not be used with 10 major drugs at the same time and will interact with 35 types of drugs. The blood concentration levels of the drugs shall be monitored when administering these drugs.
     According to Dr. Po-Chang Lee, Director General of the NHIA, the NHIA has announced the medication information of Paxlovid on the NHI VPN and the MediCloud, and also established the drug interaction notification on the MediCloud according to the medication instructions. When prescribing medication, doctors may use the system to inquire whether the patient is using some drugs that cannot be used with Paxlovid at the same time or drugs that may interact with Paxlovid.