Pfizer says its COVID-19 antiviral pill reduces risk of serious illness: What we know about US approval

The oral drug, called Paxlovid, reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by almost 90% in early tests, according to Pfizer.

Pfizer has asked for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 antiviral pill could be up consideration.

A day after Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics received approval in the UK for their COVID-19 antiviral pill, Pfizer said Friday it has an antiviral drug that can cut the risk of hospitalization or death from COVID by 89%, according to data from clinical trials.

Called Paxlovid, Pfizer’s pill would be taken orally to skechers outlet fight the severe symptoms. Currently, the only antiviral medication authorized in the US requires a health care professional to administer the medication intravenously, through a needle, over five to 10 days. An easy-to-take pill could become part of a growing toolkit that doctors could use to fight COVID, which already includes the three COVID vaccines authorized for use in the US.

In September, data from Johns Hopkins University showed that around 1 in 500 Americans have died from the coronavirus. While the available COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, millions of Americans have not been vaccinated. According to a September report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people are over 10 times more likely to get hospitalized and die from the disease than fully vaccinated people.

Here’s what we know about Pfizer’s antiviral pill. We’ll update this story as more details emerge. For more on COVID-19, here’s the latest on vaccine mandates, keeping your vaccine card hanovembndy and this year’s flu season.

What is Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral drug?

In the US, the three approved COVID vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson can protect you from infection. But for those already infected, antiviral drugs could reduce the chance of serious illness and reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.

If approved, Pfizer’s drug won’t replace the need for vaccines. Health officials see the vaccines and antiviral drugs working in tandem to nike outlet tame the pandemic: Vaccines can prevent infection and lessen the severity of illness if you get infected. Antiviral drugs can lessen the effects of the illness, including for those unvaccinated.

In clinical trials, Paxlovid reduced  the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% when taken three days of symptoms for those who are at a higher risk of serious infection, Pfizer said.

The pharmaceutical giant said it intends to request emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration “as soon as possible.” During its clinical trials, Pfizer said, reported side effects between those taking the antiviral drug and those taking the placebo were about the same.

How does it compare with molnupiravir, Merck’s COVID pill?

Merck applied for an emergency use authorization of its antiviral pill with the FDA in mid-October.

If given the go-ahead, the Merck antiviral drug molnupiravir would be the first approved in the US to be taken orally at home. Merck has said its pill can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 50% if taken within five days of the onset of symptoms for people who have tested positive and are at higher risk of serious illness.

An FDA advisory committee plans to meet at the end of November to consider Merck’s emergency use application for molnupiravir.

When could Pfizer antiviral pill be available in the US?

The New York Times reported that Pfizer’s pill could be available in the next few months, if approved by the FDA.

What would be Pfizer treatment course for its antiviral pill?

During Pfizer’s tests on the drug, patients took the pill orally every 12 hours for five days.

Will Pfizer’s drug be free?

Pfizer expects to produce enough pills for more than 180,000 people by the end of 2021 and for more than 21 million people by the middle of 2022, The New York Times reported. The US government is negotiating with Pfizer to buy enough pills for 1.7 million courses of treatment.

Pfizer hasn’t said whether that deal keen shoes means that the pill will be free to patients in the US. A Pfizer spokesperson told CNET: “Pfizer’s goal is to deliver safe and effective oral anti-viral therapeutic(s) as soon as possible and at an affordable price, subject to regulatory authorization.”

Separately, the US government is purchasing 1.7 million courses of Merck’s antiviral drug to provide if and when it is approved by the FDA.

For more on COVID-19, here’s the latest on COVID-19 vaccines for kids, what to know about mixing and matching vaccines and what is happening with booster shots.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.