WHO recommended Paxlovid on VedDesivir, as well as Merck Molnupiravir and Merck monoclonal antibodies.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Friday “Highly recommended” The use of the Pafizer Paxlovid antiviral pill in patients with light and moderate coronavirus (COVID-19) for the highest risk of hospitalization. However, the United Nations Health Agency highlighted the challenges of the availability and lack of price transparency in low- and middle-income countries, by raising concerns that these countries are likely to be “pushed at the end of The queue “to access the treatment.
5 things you need to know about the Pfizer antiviral pill:
Paxlovid is a combination of Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir tablets and is administered orally.
The WHO Recommendation is based on data from two randomized controlled trials showing that the risk of admission to the hospital is reduced by 85% after administration of the pill in a high-risk group.
The United Nations agency was recommended against its use at COVID patients at lower risk of hospitalization, claiming that the benefits were negligible.
While the branded drug, sold by Pfizer, will be included in the WHO prequalification list, the health agency has stated that generic products are not yet available from quality assured sources. Generic products are the copy of the brand medicines and are available at a lower price, which facilitates accessibility in low- and middle-income countries.
According to WHO, a license agreement between Pfizer and Patent Perbon drug limits the number of countries that can benefit from the generic production of the drug.
“Which strongly recommends that Pfizer make its pricing and transparent transactions and expands the geographic scope of its licensing with the drug patent pool so that more generic manufacturers can start producing the medicine and make it available more Quickly at affordable prices “The Health Agency said.
