Stock Groups

Biden administration buys 10 million courses of Pfizer Covid treatment pill

[ad_1]

Paxlovid is a Pfizer pill that fights the coronavirus (COVID-19). This undated handout photo was taken by Reuters November 16, 2021.

Handout | Handout | via Reuters

On Thursday, President Joe Biden stated that the U.S. had purchased 10 million of his courses. PfizerThe Covid pill is an oral antiviral medication, which was proven to be highly effective at preventing hospitalizations among high-risk patients in clinical trials.

Paxlovid could change how the virus is dealt with. Patients can now take their medication home using the pill. An effective home treatment can help to reduce stress hospitals experienced during the current wave of Delta infections.

Biden stated in a statement that “my administration is making all the preparations right now to make sure these treatments are easily accessible and cost-free.” It is encouraging news. The treatment may prove to be another important tool that we have in our arsenal, which will help us speed up our escape from the pandemic.

Pfizer filed Tuesday’s application to the Food and Drug Administration in order for an emergency approval for the Pill. Paxlovid can be taken with the widely-used HIV drug, Ritonavir.

Pfizer reported that Paxlovid showed 89% effectiveness in preventing death or hospitalization when administered within 3 days after symptom onset. Paxlovid can be taken with the widely-used HIV drug, Ritonavir.

Paxlovid prevents the virus from replicating by blocking the activity of an enzyme. Ritonavir is an HIV drug that slows down the patient’s metabolism. This allows the drug to stay in the body for a longer time at a greater concentration to combat the virus.

Covid patients are currently being treated by a few doctors. GileadRemdesivir is an antiviral medication that is used to treat people who have been admitted. Monoclonal antibodies are more expensive.

Although Paxlovid sounds promising, there are likely to not be enough. Pfizer stated that it will produce 180,000 course courses in the next month, and then ramp up to 50,000,000 courses by 2022.

Pfizer announced this week that generic drug producers will be allowed to manufacture the Pill and deliver it to 95 low- and middle-income nations. As long as Covid remains an international health emergency, Pfizer is willing to waive royalty payments for countries with low incomes.

This is the latest news. Stay tuned for new updates.

[ad_2]