Pfizer Confirms Its COVID-19 Pill Reduces Hospitalizations By Nearly 90%

US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer confirmed Tuesday that its COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths among at-risk people by nearly 90% when taken in the first days after symptoms appear, as found in trials. clinical

These results are based on all test participants – more than 2,200 people – and confirm what was announced in early November from preliminary findings.

No deaths were recorded among those who received the treatment. Participants were not vaccinated and were at high risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19.

Pfizer He also announced that he hopes his antiviral treatment, which will be marketed as Paxlovid, remain effective against the omicron variant.

“This highlights the potential of this (drug) candidate to save the lives of patients around the world.”Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chief executive officer, was quoted as saying in a statement. “Worrisome variants such as omicron have exacerbated the need for accessible treatment options for those who contract the virus”added.

Antivirals work by decreasing the ability of a virus to replicate itself, which slows down the disease. These treatments represent a key adjunct to vaccines for protection against the COVID-19, in particular because they are very easy to administer, and can simply be taken orally at home.

Pfizer is also a manufacturer of one of the vaccines against COVID-19 most used in the world.