Thousands of servings on the way: what's important to know about Pfizer's drug to Corona

Following FDA approval, Israel hopes that the pill will strengthen the fight against the epidemic in Omicron.

Although the drug will not reduce infection, studies show high efficacy in preventing hospitalization and mortality.

Why is this in line, who will get priority and for whom is it even intended?

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23/12/2021

Thursday, December 23, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

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In the video: Pfizer CEO refers to the company's new drug for Corona (Photo: Reuters)

Two years have passed since the outbreak of the plague that changed our lives, and now vaccines are being added to another important tool in the fight against the plague as well as in the Omicron variant.

"Paxlobide," Pfizer drug maker Pizer, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday (Wednesday), has shown promising results - nearly 90 percent effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths among high-risk populations.

So who is it for, when will Israel receive it, how is the pill taken and why is it in line?

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Efficient in front of the omicron.

The cure for the corona virus (Photo: Reuters)

Who is the pill for?

The FDA has approved the pill for patients 12 and older with mild to moderate illness.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the drug should be prescribed as soon as possible after diagnosis, and within five days of the onset of symptoms.

However, because in the beginning there will probably be deficiencies, in Israel the drug will be given to patients with background diseases or the elderly, as well as to people who are not vaccinated, since the vaccinated have better protection against a serious illness.

How is the drug taken and are there any side effects?

Pfizer's pill, taken twice a day with the older antiviral drug Ritonavir, will be given in a single 150 mg tablet with Ritonavir's 100 mg tablet.

Paxlobide is expected to remain active in the body at higher concentrations for a longer period of time thanks to ritonavir, which helps to slow down the patient's metabolism.

From data collected in Phase 1 of the clinical trials, it appears that the drug has no dangerous side effects.

Will be taken twice a day.

"Faxlobid" (Photo: Reuters)

When will we receive it in Israel?

Thousands of doses of the drug are expected to arrive in Israel in the coming weeks.

Last month, Prof. Nadav Davidovich, acting chairman of the Public Health Association, said that "negotiations are underway between the Ministry of Health and Pfizer. Israel has warm ties with Pfizer and we will not have a purchase problem once the drug is approved."

The pill will be second line - after the vaccinations (Photo: Reuven Castro)

How does the drug work?

The pill stops the spread of the corona virus in the body, by blocking the activity of an enzyme called "protease", which the virus needs to replicate.

According to the researchers, they do not believe that the enzyme was mutated in the omicron, which is why the drug is also effective against the omicron.

The drug - for ages 12 and up.

Pfizer plant in Belgium, January (Photo: AP)

Is the drug effective?

And if so, also in front of the omicron?

According to information from Pfizer's clinical trials, the drug is 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths among high-risk populations.

The latest information indicates that the drug is also effective against the omicron and probably against other variants.

Will the drug change the fight against the plague?

The drug will not be a substitute for the vaccine, but a second line of the vaccine, and will advance medicine one step further towards comprehensive treatment of corona.

The drug will not reduce the infection, but will provide completion of treatment in case the person has already been infected, and will allow home treatment.

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