These oral drugs, like Pfizer’s Paxlovid antiviral, are seen as a new weapon of choice in the fight against Covid-19, the virus that has killed nearly a million people in the United States alone and continues to spread all over the world.
20 million treatments ordered
“One of the most effective treatments available is Pfizer’s antiviral pill, Paxlovid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by around 90%,” a senior US government official.
With 20 million treatments ordered, the government now has “vast stocks” and will double distribution locations to around 40,000, the same official said. The pills are notably available in pharmacies and in hospitals and health centers, and the American drug agency, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), has authorized this treatment for high-risk patients aged 12 and over.
500,000 antiviral treatments administered
So far, around 500,000 antiviral treatments have been administered, the senior official said, and the pace is accelerating.
The Biden administration’s anti-Covid strategy, however, is under threat of blockage in Congress, which is unable to agree on new funding. The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, assured that funds had already been allocated to pay for the 20 million antiviral treatments ordered.
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