US FDA Grants Emergency Approval for COVID Treatment Pill... Foreign Media Calls It an "Important Milestone"

Pfizer, Ready for Immediate Delivery

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The 'game changer' for COVID-19 response has finally arrived. Amid the rapid surge of new infections in the U.S. due to the spread of the Omicron variant, American media welcomed the news.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the 22nd (local time) approved the emergency use of Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment pill, 'Paxlovid.'

This pill is intended for those infected with COVID-19 who are undergoing home treatment.

The FDA explained, "High-risk patients aged 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds (about 40 kg) and have tested positive are eligible to receive a prescription from a doctor."

The FDA stated, "The pill should be started as soon as possible after a COVID-19 diagnosis, within 5 days of symptom onset." The medication is to be taken three pills twice a day for five days.

The FDA emphasized that the treatment pill is not for prevention. It reiterated that vaccination and booster shots are necessary to prevent infection.

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, welcomed the approval, saying, "The authorization of Paxlovid is further clear evidence that science is leading the way to end the pandemic."

CEO Bourla added that they are ready to begin immediate delivery within the U.S. to supply Paxlovid to patients as quickly as possible.

The Biden administration announced in November that it would purchase 10 million Paxlovid pills.

A major foreign news outlet reported, "It is expected to be an important tool in combating Omicron." The Associated Press described the approval as "a long-awaited milestone."

On the same day, Pfizer and Moderna's stock prices diverged sharply. Pfizer's stock rose 1.6%, while Moderna's stock, which supplies only vaccines, plunged 6.8%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.