Maribavir for treating refractory or drug-intolerant cytomegalovirus infection after transplant

Published on 01 Jul 2026
Last Updated on 01 Jul 2026

Guidance Recommendations

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Maribavir 200 mg tablet for treating post-transplant cytomegalovirus infection or disease in adults who are refractory (with or without genotypic resistance) or intolerant to prior antiviral therapy.

Funding status

Maribavir 200 mg tablet is recommended for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for the abovementioned indication from 1 September 2026.

Maribavir should be used in line with the additional clinical criteria listed in the Annex.

Guidance_Maribavir for treating refractory or drug-intolerant cytomegalovirus infection after transplant (1 Jul 2026) [PDF, 187.22 KB]

Plain English Summary

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that belongs to the herpes virus family. In healthy people, CMV infection usually causes mild or no symptoms. However, it can cause serious illness in people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have received an organ transplant. CMV infection in transplant patients can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. It can also affect different parts of the body including the lungs, liver, stomach, intestines, and brain and spinal cord. If left untreated, CMV infection can be life-threatening, and can increase the risk of organ rejection and other infections.

Maribavir is an antiviral medicine that works by stopping CMV from multiplying and spreading in the body. It is taken orally.

Maribavir was recommended for inclusion in the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for government subsidy as it was considered to be an acceptable use of healthcare resources at the price proposed by the company. The treatment cost will be subsidised by 40% to 75% for eligible patients.