Pfizer says its antiviral pill slashes risk of severe Covid-19 by 89%

Pfizer says its antiviral pill slashes risk of severe Covid-19 by 89%

"If authorized by the FDA we may soon have pills that treat the virus in those who become infected," President Biden said. "The therapy would be another tool in our toolbox to protect people from the worst outcomes of Covid." (MENAFN- Gulf Times) * Trial stopped early after high success rate * Results appear to surpass those of rival Merck drug * Pfizer to submit interim data to FDA before Nov. 25 Pfizer Inc's experimental antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 was shown to cut by 89% the chances of hospitalization or death for adults at risk of developing severe disease, the company said on Friday, offering what could be a promising new weapon in the fight against the pandemic. The trial's results suggest that the oral drug surpasses Merck & Co Inc's pill, molnupiravir, which was shown last month to halve the risk of dying or being hospitalized for Covid-19 patients at high risk of serious illness. Pfizer's pill, with the brand name Paxlovid, could secure US regulatory approval by the end of the year. The Pfizer trial was stopped early due to its high success rate. Full trial data is not yet available from either company. President Joe Biden