Pfizer’s Covid-19 pill, Paxlovid, just got FDA clearance today. The drug is the first Covid treatment in pill-form to get official clearance from the FDA. ✅
The medication is cleared for patients 12+ at high risk of hospitalization or death from the virus. Paxlovid can be taken within 5 days of the onset of mild to severe Covid-19 symptoms and was found to be 89% effective in preventing hospitalization for severe symptoms. Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni of the FDA shared:
“Today’s authorization introduces the first treatment for COVID-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally — a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. 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.”
The Biden Administration bought 10 million Paxlovid treatments for $5 billion, and is ready to start using them immediately. $PFE gained 1.02% today on the news.