Pfizer says its antiviral pill slashes risk of severe COVID-19 by 89%

The pill is given in combination with an older antiviral called ritonavir. The treatment consists of three pills given twice daily. It has been in development for nearly two years.Pfizer is in discussions with 90 countries over supply contracts for its pill, Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said in an interview.

"Vaccines are going to be the most effective and reliable tool that we have in this pandemic," said Dr. Grace Lee, professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. "These oral medications are going to augment our ability to really reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death, which is huge, but it won't prevent infection."

Mizuho analyst Vamil Divan forecast a "very minor impact" from the Pfizer drug on vaccination among people who do not want the vaccine or a booster shot as recommended by U.S. health regulators. Antivirals need to be given as early as possible, before an infection takes hold, to be most effective. Rates were similar for patients treated within five days of symptoms: 1% of the treatment group was hospitalized, compared to 6.7% for the placebo group, which included 10 deaths. Pfizer said that works out to being 85% effective at preventing hospitalization or death.approved by British regulators

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Pfizer says its antiviral pill slashes risk of severe COVID-19 by 89%(Reuters) -Pfizer Inc's experimental antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 was shown to cut by 89% the chances of hospitalization or death for adults at risk of developing severe disease, the company said on Friday, offering what could be a promising new weapon in the fight against the pandemic. The trial's results suggest that the oral drug surpasses Merck & Co Inc's pill, molnupiravir, which was shown last month to halve the risk of dying or being hospitalized for COVID-19 patients at high risk of serious illness. Pfizer's pill, with the brand name Paxlovid, could secure U.S. regulatory approval by the end of the year.
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Pfizer's COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, cuts hospitalizations, deaths by 89%'An extraordinary effect': Pfizer says its COVID-19 pill reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 89% in high-risk patients The business of Pfizer is business. Extraordinary isn't it? LaurelBlu2 Just listened to his conversation w/JohnBerman on CNN excellent!
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