Has Paxlovid failed to live up to the hype as a pandemic game changer, or is it another effective defense that’s been unjustly snubbed by a misinformed public? ManvBrain investigates
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer Paxlovid, the COVID antiviral developed by Pfizer, was hailed as a miracle drug against COVID-19 when it was approved for use by the FDA in December. But it was nowhere to be found during the Omicron wave that followed and now is little discussed and underused, with doses reportedly piling up on pharmacy shelves.
He was on the fence about taking Paxlovid. His symptoms were mild. He felt feverish and mentally fuzzy but his temperature was normal. As an extremely healthy marathon-runner who’s fully vaxxed, he wasn’t particularly worried about getting seriously ill. On the other hand, he’s got asthma, which is a risk factor for severe COVID. In the end, a talk with a colleague helped push him toward a decision.
Pfizer started testing Paxlovid in September 2021, enrolling patients who were suffering from mild to moderate symptoms — meaning they hadn’t been hospitalized yet — and were at high risk of their symptoms turning severe, either due to being over 65 or having comorbidities like obesity or diabetes. Pfizer expected the study to last into 2022, but was able to end the trial early because the results were so spectacular.
To help things along, the Biden administration last month launched a program called “Test to Treat,” under which patients with COVID symptoms can go to a participating pharmacy, get a test, and immediately receive a five-day course of Paxlovid. The one-stop-shopping approach is designed to cut down on the time between the patient’s first symptoms and the time they take their first dose, because Paxlovid is meant to be taken within the first five days.
It will also help if access to the program is expanded. For now, the emergency-use application only allows the drug to be prescribed to those with an increased risk of severe COVID, because that’s who took part in the trial. Other trials are currently underway to see if Paxlovid is safe and effective for children and for patients at a standard risk of severe symptoms — that is to say, the rest of the public.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Supplies of COVID-19 antiviral pill Paxlovid are abundant as demand lessensICYMI from KPBS Midday Edition: As COVID-19 cases decrease, supply of antiviral treatments to prevent hospitalization and death is in abundant supply.
Read more »
Omicron infection induces limited immune response in unvaccinated; COVID hospital deaths rise on weekendsThe following is a summary of some recent studies on COVID-19. They include research that warrants further study to corroborate the findings and that has yet to be certified by peer review.
Read more »
Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay dies at 55 after 4-month battle with COVID-19'DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a legacy that will transcend generations,' said his family in a statement.
Read more »
South Korea lifts most COVID precautions as new cases dip to two-month lowSouth Korea lifted almost all of its COVID-19 precautions on Monday in a major step towards a return to normal life as the Omicron variant recedes and daily infections retreated to a more than two-month low of fewer than 50,000.
Read more »
India's COVID infections hit month-high, one state reports spike in deathsIndia's tally of daily COVID-19 cases nearly doubled on Monday from the previous day to more than 2,000 for the first time in a month, government data showed, and the southern state of Kerala reported a big jump in deaths.
Read more »