Pfizer's Covid pill 'Paxlovid' gets US authorization

On Wednesday, U.S. health regulators gives authorization to the first pill against Covid-19, a Pfizer drug that will aid Americans to be able to treat Covid-19 symptoms at home. The company says that this pill is very beneficial for the patients of Corona. This is also effective for the new variant of Corona virus. 

Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, "This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19."

In a statement, President Joe Biden said, "Today's action is a testament to the power of science and the result of American innovation and ingenuity. Even in the face of the more transmissible Omicron variant, America is more prepared than ever to fight this virus." 

According to the agency, data from Pfizer's clinical trials showed that its two-drug antiviral regimen was effective in patients with severe disease. They were 90 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and death. According to the data found in recent labs, this drug is also effective on the Omicron variant. This drug can be used to treat more severe patients and patients who are at least 12 years of age.

Preparing to start deliveries in the US

The company also said that it is fully prepared to start delivery in the US immediately. It is set to increase its production from 80 million to 120 million in 2022. The US government has contracted for 10 million doses of the drug Pfizer. It is priced at $530 per course. The tablets of Pfizer, an older antiviral drug, will be sold under the brand name Paxlovid. These tablets are to be taken every 12 hours for five days immediately after the onset of symptoms of corona.