What's happening with antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19?
CBC
On Friday, Pfizer announced that its experimental antiviral medication to treat early COVID-19 looks so promising that independent experts recommended stopping clinical trials. Pfizer will soon apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.
The news comes just a day after the U.K. became the first country to authorize another COVID-19 antiviral pill, manufactured by Merck.
Experts emphasize that vaccination is still the primary and most effective defence against COVID, but welcome the possibility of an oral medication to save lives and prevent hospitalization among people who become infected. Here's what we know about COVID-19 antivirals so far.
No.
Health Canada confirmed on Friday that it has not received a submission from Pfizer for its antiviral drug, called Paxlovid.
"Should Health Canada receive an application from Pfizer, it will be reviewed on a priority basis," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
CBC News has asked Pfizer if it intends to send an application for authorization to Health Canada, but has not yet received a response.
The Merck antiviral pill, called molnupiravir, was submitted to Health Canada on August 13. On Friday, Health Canada said it was still being reviewed.
Both the Merck and Pfizer medications are for adults who are in the early stages of COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms and at risk of deteriorating into severe illness and requiring hospitalization. Those at risk could include people who are older or who have underlying conditions, such as obesity, diabetes or heart disease.
Patients in the clinical trials were unvaccinated. More research is needed, experts say, to find out if the antivirals could help people who are vaccinated but get a breakthrough infection.
Pfizer's preliminary results of its clinical trial showed a reduction between 85 and 89 per cent in the combined rate of hospitalization and death among those who got the drug, compared to those who got a placebo pill.
For patients who started taking the drug within three days of the onset of symptoms, the hospitalization rate was 89 per cent lower. The reduction in hospitalization or death was slightly less (85 per cent) among those who took the pills a day or two later (within five days of symptoms developing).
No one who took the Pfizer antiviral drug died, the company said.
WATCH | Dr. Zain Chagla says antiviral drugs for COVID-19 look promising:
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