COVID: When will Pfizer's pill that reduces the risk of death and hospitalization be available?

Photo: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP / Getty Images

This week, Pfizer announced that Paxlovid, its oral COVID drug proposal – 19, reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% if administered within three days of symptoms.

If given within five days, the pill continues to reduce the risk of serious reaction in a 88% , according to the final results of the study. This figure is higher than the 80% efficacy reported in an interim analysis performed in November.

If approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the drug “could have a significant impact on the lives of many people, “Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement Tuesday.

“Emerging variants of interest, such as omicrone, have exacerbated the need for accessible treatment options for those who contract the virus… We are confident that, if authorized or approved, this potential treatment could be a critical tool to help quell the pandemic. ”

In an interview with CNBC, Bourla said that expects the FDA to make a decision this month . In case this happens the drug Paxlovid, which would combat the most serious symptoms of COVID – 19, would be added to the suite of tools doctors have to fight the pandemic, along with the COVID vaccines approved by Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Merck also has an antiviral drug recently approved by the FDA, although it is nowhere near as effective as Paxlovid appears to be.

If Paxlovid is approved, two tablets of 150 mg at the first sign of symptoms or a positive COVID test result – 19 and treatment would continue for five days.

Although the vaccines against COVID- 19 are very effective, even against the most recent omicron variant, millions Americans remain unvaccinated. According to a CDC report, unvaccinated people have more than 10 times more likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus than fully vaccinated.

According to Pfizer, the pill has been shown to be effective against COVID variants – 19, including the delta strain and the most recent Omicron.

Related: The Reason Why Covid Vaccines – 19 do not contain a 5G chip

When will the COVID pill be available? Pfizer?

In November , Pfizer applied to the FDA for an emergency use authorization for its antiviral drug, and Bourla said he expected the FDA to make a decision by the end of 2021.

If approved, Paxlovid will be ready to go: “We have already shipped the product to the United States,” said Bourla, “so the product will be available this month if approved. ”

So far President Joe Biden has said that Pfizer’s antiviral treatments will be“ easily accessible and free ”thanks to the fact that your administration has already bought 10 millions of treatments.

On the other hand, the government is buying 1.7 million doses of Merck’s antiviral drug , molnupiravir, to be administered as long as it is approved by the FDA.

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