Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Pfizer Says Its Antiviral Pill Drastically Cuts Severe Covid Risks
CNBC: Pfizer Says Its Covid Pill With HIV Drug Cuts The Risk Of Hospitalization Or Death By 89%
Pfizer said Friday that its easy-to-administer Covid-19 pill, used in combination with a widely used HIV drug, cut the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in high-risk adults who’ve been exposed to the virus. It’s now the second antiviral pill behind Merck’s to demonstrate strong effectiveness for treating Covid at the first sign of illness. If cleared by regulators, it would likely be a game changer in the ongoing global pandemic fight. (Lovelace Jr., 11/5)
USA Today: Pfizer Antiviral Drug Could Nearly End Deaths From COVID-19, Company Study Suggests
By the end of the year, the company plans to complete two other studies of the pill, which is given twice a day for five days. Pfizer plans to submit the study data as part of its ongoing rolling submission to the Food and Drug Administration as soon as possible. It's not yet clear how much the treatment would cost or how many doses could be rapidly made available, assuming it receives clearance from regulatory agencies. (Weintraub, 11/5)
AP: Pfizer Says COVID-19 Pill Cut Hospital, Death Risk By 90%
Once Pfizer applies, the FDA could make a decision within weeks or months. If authorized the company would sell the drug under the brand name Paxlovid. Researchers worldwide have been racing to find a pill against COVID-19 that can be taken at home to ease symptoms, speed recovery and reduce the crushing burden on hospitals and doctors. (Perrone, 11/5)
Stat: Experimental Pfizer Pill Prevents Covid Hospitalizations And Deaths
Nahid Bhadelia, the founding director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy & Research at Boston University, called oral antiviral pills “incredibly important” because existing treatments such as monoclonal antibodies must be given intravenously or as shots. “With an oral antiviral, patients have more time and greater access to a treatment that will keep them out of the hospital,” Bhadelia said. “But the promise of oral antivirals will only be recognized if they’re available at your local pharmacy, and you can afford it, and you can get the test that tells you that you’re positive for Covid, so you can actually take advantage of this drug. So, the promise is there, but the rest of the pieces need to come together.” (Herper, 11/5)
