Bloomberg: FDA approval of Pfizer and Merk anti-coronavirus pills within week

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve the use of Pfizer and Merck coronavirus pills in the “battle” against coronavirus even within a week, according to a Bloomberg report, citing three sources. with knowledge of the subject.

According to agency sources, the announcement could be made even on Wednesday, but added that this could change.

Pfizer Paxlovid and Merck molnupiravir are intended for high-risk individuals who are positive for coronavirus. The two treatments, in which patients take the pills for a few days at home, can reduce the burden on hospitals at a time when infections are expected to flare up.

Representatives of the White House and the FDA declined to comment.

However, as one of the sources in Bloomberg pointed out, the approval of the two pills by the FDA may be accompanied by restrictions on the categories of patients to whom they can be administered. The FDA advised a small majority to recommend the use of the Merck pill last month, as some members expressed concerns about its safety, such as when taking it by pregnant women.

It is worth noting that the Pfizer pill, according to a clinical trial, reduces by 89% the hospitalization of patients who received it within three days of the onset of symptoms, compared to those who received placebo, while those who did not passed away.

Merck pill according to clinical studies is less effective and has some risks.

However, the US government has already ordered 100 million doses of Pfizer’s pill and about 3 million doses of Merck’s pill, but it is not expected to be immediately available.