By Michael Erman

(Reuters) – Pfizer Inc (NYSE 🙂 stated Tuesday that it will seek U.S. authorisation for the experimental antiviral COVID-19 drug. This pill, which has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and death among adults who are at high risk of serious disease, was approved in clinical trials.

Pfizer said it completed submission of its application for emergency use authorization (EUA) of the drug, Paxlovid, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including data from the drugmaker’s clinical trial https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-says-antiviral-pill-cuts-risk-severe-covid-19-by-89-2021-11-05.

This oral drug is a promising tool in fighting the pandemic. It can be used as an at-home treatment that prevents COVID-19 deaths and hopitalizations. In countries with low or no vaccination rates, it could become an important tool.

Pfizer’s request is still under review by U.S. regulators. Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, which are developing a competing pill, molnupiravir, completed their EUA submission on Oct. 11.

The FDA’s outside advisors will review the application and make recommendations on November 30. It is likely that it will be made available in this year.

Albert Bourla, Chief Executive of Pfizer stated that the company is working fast to bring this treatment to patients and that it looks forward to working closely with the FDA to review our application.

New York-based pharmaceutical company, Drugmaker, stated that it had begun to seek authorization in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and the United Kingdom. It also plans to submit further international applications.

Pfizer stated Tuesday morning that generic makers will be able to distribute its COVID-19 drug to 95 low- or middle-income countries via a licensing agreement made with Medicines Patent Pool, an international group of public health groups (NASDAQ:). (MPP).