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Even before the green light from health authorities, the United States ordered 10 million treatments of its anti-Covid pill developed by the Pfizer laboratory.
It is a much anticipated treatment. The US government has ordered the Pfizer laboratory for 10 million treatments of its anti-Covid pill for $ 5.29 billion subject to the green light from health authorities, President Joe Biden assuring that they will be distributed free of charge.
The pharmaceutical company, which already markets a vaccine against the virus in collaboration with BioNTech, filed on November 17 with the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) an emergency authorization request for this highly anticipated treatment because it can easily be taken at home for the first few days after the onset of symptoms in case of infection.
Even if the agency has yet to give the green light, “I have taken immediate steps to ensure sufficient supplies for the American population,” the White House tenant said in a statement.
The government “is doing what is necessary to ensure that these treatments will be easily accessible and free”, added Joe Biden while insisting however on the importance of the vaccine.
89% efficiency
The antiviral treatment, which will be marketed as Paxlovid, has been shown to be 89% effective against hospitalizations and death in clinical trials, when taken within three days of symptom onset.
These trials were conducted by the company on people at high risk of developing a severe case of Covid-19.
Antivirals work by reducing the ability of a virus to replicate, thereby slowing down the disease. They represent a key complement to vaccines to protect against Covid-19.
“Getting vaccinated remains the most important action we can take to protect ourselves and others and put an end to this pandemic,” also said US Minister of Health Xavier Becerra in a separate press release. “But for people who get sick and are at risk of serious consequences, having pills they can take to avoid going to hospital could be a lifeline,” he added.
Washington’s order calls for the delivery of the 10 million treatments, the first by the end of the year and in 2022.
“The price paid by the US government reflects the high volume of treatments purchased,” says Pfizer in its own press release, indicating that it has engaged in discussions with other states.
Agreement for the production of generic drugs
The group is already benefiting greatly from sales of its anti-Covid vaccine, which allowed it to double its turnover in the third quarter, to $ 24.1 billion, and to multiply its net profit by five over the period, to $ 8.15 billion.
The American laboratory Merck has also developed an antiviral treatment, molnupiravir, authorized in early November in a first country, the United Kingdom.
An FDA committee is due to meet on November 30 to decide on Merck’s US drug approval request. Washington has already purchased 3.1 million treatments from Merck.
Pfizer agreed on Tuesday to enter into a voluntary licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), created by Unitaid, which will allow generic manufacturers to produce the drug for supply to 95 middle-income countries or lower representing about 53% of the world’s population.
Merck has entered into a similar pact with the MPP for its own oral anti-Covid.
On Wall Street, Pfizer stock appreciated 1.36% at 3:00 p.m. GMT.
With AFP
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