Pfizer says COVID-19 pill cut hospital, death risk by 90%
The Hindu
Pfizer’s drug is part of a decades-old family of antiviral drugs known as protease inhibitors.
Pfizer Inc. said Friday that its experimental antiviral pill for cut rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90% in high-risk adults, as the drugmaker joins the race to bring the first against the coronavirus to the U.S. market.
Currently all COVID-19 treatments used in the U.S. require an IV or injection. Competitor Merck’s COVID-19 pill is already under review at the Food and Drug Administration after showing strong initial results, and on Thursday the United Kingdom became the first country to OK it.
Pfizer said it will ask the FDA and international regulators to authorize its pill as soon as possible, after independent experts recommended halting the company’s study based on the strength of its results. Once Pfizer applies, the FDA could make a decision within weeks or months. If authorized the company would sell the drug under the brand name Paxlovid.
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