New Zealand has secured access to an important new COVID-19 drug that can save lives and cut time in hospital.

Health Minister Andrew Little says, "Molnupiravir, an anti-viral drug showing promising potential at stopping people with mild-to-medium symptoms of COVID-19 needing to go to the hospital, especially those with compromised immune systems".

Similarly, Ronapreve is a monoclonal antibody drug that reduces the severity of COVID-19 and decreases the risk of patients passing the virus on to other people. Pharmac, the national drug-buying agency, has secured access to enough doses of Ronapreve to be able to treat 5300 people and expects to be able to buy more next year.

“Ronapreve, along with molnupiravir and other drugs, form part of New Zealand's armory against the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting people and hospital services against its worst impacts" he added.