Pfizer said on Tuesday it had signed a licensing agreement to allow broader global access to its experimental pill against Covid-19.
The agreement with Medicines Patent Pool, a public health organization supported by the United Nations, pwould allow generic manufacturers to make the pill widely available in 95 low- and middle-income countries, covering 53% of the world’s population, the company said.
The pill, known as PF-07321332 or Paxlovid, must be given in combination with an older antiviral drug called ritonavir.
Brazil was left out of the agreement, which will force the country to buy the tablet directly from the manufacturer Pfizer, probably at higher prices. Neighbors Bolivia and Venezuela were included, in addition to countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Ethiopia and India.
Earlier this month, Pfizer announced the main results of its trial, saying that an interim analysis — done before the trial ended — showed an 89% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death from Covid-19 among people who received the medication within the first three days of onset of symptoms.
“Pfizer will not receive royalties on sales in low-income countries, and will still waive royalties on sales in all countries covered by the agreement, as long as Covid-19 remains classified as an Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.” , said Pfizer in the statement.
The Medicines Patent Pool, founded by Unitaid 10 years ago, facilitates quick access to medicines for people in low- and middle-income countries.
Pfizer has not yet submitted the pill for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but said it would do so before the end of the month.
Late last month, Merck, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and the Medicines Patent Pool announced a voluntary licensing agreement to help create broader access to the antiviral molnupiravir in 105 low- and middle-income countries.
Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral for the treatment of mild or moderate Covid-19 cases by adults at risk of developing a more severe form of the disease and eventual hospitalization. It was authorized by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency earlier this month, and companies have applied for authorization from the US FDA.
Merck, Ridgeback Therapeutics and Emory University – the creators and licensees of the antiviral – will not receive royalties from these sales for as long as Covid-19 remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under World Health Organization classifications, announced.
Translated text. Read the original in English.
Reference: CNN Brasil
