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FDA authorizes new COVID treatment, a Pfizer pill people can take at home
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/12/22/covid-cases-vaccines-test-kits-omicron-boosters/8989209002/The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized use of a new antiviral pill that can be taken at home to help prevent people sick with COVID-19 from becoming severely ill.
Paxlovid, made by Pfizer, reduced the risk of severe disease by nearly 90% in clinical trials and appeared to be safe. Taken as a pill soon after COVID-19 symptoms start, it is intended for people at high risk for severe disease, including those over 65, people with obesity or diabetes and anyone with a weakened immune system, as well as high-risk children ages 12 and up.
The pill is easier to deliver than previous treatments, which had to be given by injection or infusion, but requires a prescription and swallowing 40 pills over 5 days. The drug works best when given within 5 days of symptom onset and not well at all after 7 days, studies show. Some hospitals and pharmacies are working to reduce the time between a positive test, receipt of a prescription and access to the pills.
“Pfizer stands ready to begin delivery in the U.S. immediately to help get PAXLOVID into the hands of appropriate patients as quickly as possible,” Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a prepared statement.
The U.S. government has pre-purchased doses to provide at no cost, but it's not clear how quickly it can be made widely available.
Paxlovid, made by Pfizer, reduced the risk of severe disease by nearly 90% in clinical trials and appeared to be safe. Taken as a pill soon after COVID-19 symptoms start, it is intended for people at high risk for severe disease, including those over 65, people with obesity or diabetes and anyone with a weakened immune system, as well as high-risk children ages 12 and up.
The pill is easier to deliver than previous treatments, which had to be given by injection or infusion, but requires a prescription and swallowing 40 pills over 5 days. The drug works best when given within 5 days of symptom onset and not well at all after 7 days, studies show. Some hospitals and pharmacies are working to reduce the time between a positive test, receipt of a prescription and access to the pills.
“Pfizer stands ready to begin delivery in the U.S. immediately to help get PAXLOVID into the hands of appropriate patients as quickly as possible,” Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a prepared statement.
The U.S. government has pre-purchased doses to provide at no cost, but it's not clear how quickly it can be made widely available.
9 replies
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It means that not as many people are going to get seriously ill, or suffer really foul symptoms.
It relieves Human Suffering a bit.
Does nothing for Human STUPIDITY.
Coupled with the announcement that the US Army has developed a vaccine that will prevent ALL SARS virus infections and ALL COVID19 present and future variants, this is a good week for some good Pandemic news.
