Pfizer To Allow Its COVID Pill To Be , Made and Sold for a Cheaper Price , in Poorer Countries.
On Nov.
16, Pfizer announced it had signed a licensing agreement with the U.N.-backed Medicines Patent Pool permitting more global access to its pill.
The agreement with the public health organization would , let generic manufacturers mass-produce the pill, in 95 low- and middle-income nations.
The company said this would help to provide the experimental COVID-19 pills to 53% of the global population.
But in order to work, Pfizer's pill, Paxlovid, , needs to be given in tandem with another antiviral drug, known as ritonavir.
.
According to the pharmaceutical company, an interim analysis of its clinical trial , showed an 89% efficacy rate in reducing coronavirus-induced hospitalization or death when given to participants within three days of exhibiting symptoms. .
According to the pharmaceutical company, an interim analysis of its clinical trial , showed an 89% efficacy rate in reducing coronavirus-induced hospitalization or death when given to participants within three days of exhibiting symptoms. .
On Nov.
16, the drugmaker said it asked the FDA to authorize the pill for high-risk, unvaccinated individuals.
On Nov.
16, the drugmaker said it asked the FDA to authorize the pill for high-risk, unvaccinated individuals.
Merck submitted its own COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir, for emergency FDA approval in October.
It was approved for use in the U.K. on Nov.
4.
CNN reports that last month, Merck also announced a licensing agreement that , would allow broader access to its pill, in 105 low- and middle-income countries