Pfizer gave the green signal for other countries to manufacture its oral antiviral COVID-19 pill. Once approved after passing trials, the medication can benefit over 53 percent of the world’s population.
All about Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill
The American pharma giant on Tuesday announced that its new COVID-19 pIll will be more accessible and cheaper in developing and underdeveloped nations. Pfizer is going to sub-license the production of its promising Paxlovid drug to generic drug makers. The medicine will be supplied across 95 low and mid-income countries. Hence, covering 53 percent of the world’s population.
If you’re wondering how it is due to a new deal between Pfizer and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). MMP, the Geneva-based firm is an UN-backed organization facilitating medicine development. It focuses on countries with low and middle ranges of income. However, the agreement is depending on the success of the oral antiviral pill passing the trials that are in progress. The trials and approval from drug authorities will determine the changes. Pfizer is also foregoing the royalties on sales of the medicine in all nations that come under the agreement
Here’s what studies show
Patients will get the covid pill along with ritonavir, an HIV medicine. According to the interim data from the trials, oral medication was reducing the risk of covid-19 related deaths and hospitalizations by 89 percent. Compared to placebo in high-risk adults without being hospitalized within three days of the symptoms setting in. According to Pfizer, it leads to similar results with five-day-long symptom onset.
“We believe oral antiviral treatments can play a vital role in reducing the severity of Covid-19 infections. Hence, decreasing the strain on our healthcare systems, and saving lives,” said Albert Borula. Borula is the chairman and CEO of Pfizer. The oral medication, Paxlovid or PF-07321332, for blocking SARS-CoV-2-3CL protease. The enzyme that is important for covid’s replication. A combination of Paxlovid and low-dose ritonavir helps in breaking down the enzyme.