Pfizer signs $5.29 billion deal to supply 10 million Anti-Covid pills to USA

The multinational pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer has signed a deal worth $5.29 billion to supply 10 million Anti-Covid pills to USA.

Paxlovid, the pill manufactured by Pfizer could change the fight against the virus, this pill can be provided by physicians to patients at home after infection.

It is a highly effective at-home treatment which could help reduce the stress that hospitals have faced throughout the pandemic, especially during the recent wave of delta infections.

In a clinical trial of adults aged 18 and above were more susceptible to contracting severe Covid virus, According to Pfizer, Paxlovid gave 89% efficacy in preventing hospitalisation and death when taken within three days of symptom onset.

The drug will be administered at a dose of 300mg (two 150mg tablets) with one 100mg tablet of ritonavir, given for five days twice daily.

Pfizer has said that by end of 2022 it will aim to manufacture 180,000 courses and ascent its production to 50 million courses, even though the supplies are to be tight. Pfizer has agreed to allow drug manufactures to produce the pill and supply it to 95 middle income countries, it will be waiving royalties for low income countries and will follow the same for all other nations by the agreement.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, said:

“We were thrilled with the recent results of our Phase 2/3 interim analysis, which showed overwhelming efficacy of PAXLOVID in reducing the risk of hospitalisation among high-risk patients treated within three days of symptom onset by almost 90% and with no deaths, and are pleased the U.S. government recognises this potential,”

“It is encouraging to see a growing understanding of the valuable role that oral investigational therapies may play in combatting COVID-19, and we look forward to continuing discussions with governments around the world to help ensure broad access for people everywhere.”