As of successful clinical and regulatory trials of Pfizer’s Covid-19 medication, it will be more affordable in developing countries.
Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, announced a deal on Tuesday to make its potential antiviral pill Covid-19 more affordable in the world’s poorest countries.
The production of Pfizer’s promising Paxlovid pill has been sublicensed for distribution in 95 low- and middle-income countries, which account for approximately 53% of the world’s population.
Pfizer, which produces one of the most widely used Covid vaccines with BioNTech, will not receive royalties from generic manufacturers as part of an agreement with the global Medicines Patent Pool, making the treatment more affordable.
To be effective, the oral antiviral medication must complete ongoing clinical trials and be approved by the FDA.
Ritonavin and Pfizer’s medication must be taken concurrently
Interim data from ongoing trials show that taking Covid-19 for three days after the onset of symptoms reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by 89 percent among non-hospitalized high-risk adults when compared to a placebo, according to Pfizer.
Similar findings were made within five days of the onset of symptoms.
The MPP, based in Geneva, is a United Nations-supported international organisation that works to accelerate the development of medicines for developing countries.
If approved, the pill could be on the market in “a matter of months,” according to MPP policy director Esteban Burrone.
“In the event of a pandemic, saving lives necessitates a quick response. If this agreement is in place, we may be able to get the medicine to more people faster.” Philippe Duneton, executive director of Unitaid, stated
The deadline for expressing interest in becoming a sublicensee has been pushed back to December 6.
Molnupiravir, a Merck & Co. investigational oral antiviral drug, was also licenced by the MPP in a similar voluntary agreement last month.
Molnupiravir will be more widely available in 105 low- and middle-income countries as a result of the agreement, which must be approved by regulators.
Unlike vaccines, pills are less expensive to manufacture, do not require a cold chain for delivery, and can be administered by patients themselves.
When it comes to reducing the burden on the health-care system, “it’s a game changer,” says Burrone.
The price of Pfizer’s pills has yet to be determined, but “in a competitive environment… prices tend to come down” to a low level.
MSF, on the other hand, estimates that the Pfizer treatment course will cost around $700, which is comparable to molnupiravir.
According to a medical charity, controversial voluntary licencing agreements are no substitute for global access to Covid tools to control the pandemic.
