There are two big problems with anti-virals as far as I can tell.
Firstly, most work best when given very early, that means a massive increase in screening/testing for early signs of infection.
Secondly, the few being tested at the moment are horrendously expensive, meaning doctors are hesitant to prescribe them.
The most recent drugs approved cost above $2500 per course of treatment like Sotrovimab(Intravenous), this new Molnupiravir drug greatly reduces that cost but is still about $1000 per treatment. Still that is at least 1/10th the cost of basic hospitalisation.
The trick seems to be combine the use of these drugs with vaccination, vaccination slows the development of disease enough that you can get a detection in time to treat with the anti-virals which then greatly reduces hospitalisations.
Firstly, most work best when given very early, that means a massive increase in screening/testing for early signs of infection.
Secondly, the few being tested at the moment are horrendously expensive, meaning doctors are hesitant to prescribe them.
The most recent drugs approved cost above $2500 per course of treatment like Sotrovimab(Intravenous), this new Molnupiravir drug greatly reduces that cost but is still about $1000 per treatment. Still that is at least 1/10th the cost of basic hospitalisation.
The trick seems to be combine the use of these drugs with vaccination, vaccination slows the development of disease enough that you can get a detection in time to treat with the anti-virals which then greatly reduces hospitalisations.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"