The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized this Wednesday the emergency use of the pill against COVID-19 developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the first oral treatment that prevents deaths and hospitalizations.
"Today's authorization is the first treatment for COVID-19 in the form of a pill to be taken orally, which is a great step forward in the fight against this global pandemic," said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the Center. of FDA Drug Evaluation and Research.
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"This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge, and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk of progression to a form of COVID. -19 serious, "added the expert.
The treatment is recommended for adults and minors from 12 years of age.
The drug, Paxlovid, is a faster and cheaper way to treat early COVID-19 infections, although initial supplies will be extremely limited.
All previously licensed anti-disease medications require an IV or injection.
