Pfizer's Antiviral COVID-19 Pill , Authorized by FDA.<br />NPR reports the Food and Drug Administration has officially authorized the first COVID-19 antiviral pill.<br />The pill, Paxlovid, was created by <br />pharmaceutical company Pfizer.<br />Experts say Pfizer's pill could keep those infected with COVID-19 from becoming <br />ill enough to require hospitalization. .<br />Experts say Pfizer's pill could keep those infected with COVID-19 from becoming <br />ill enough to require hospitalization. .<br />According to NPR, the pill is meant to be<br />ingested twice a day for five days.<br />Paxlovid will reportedly require a tandem dose <br />of generic antiviral medicine ritonavir.<br />Today's authorization introduces <br />the first treatment for COVID-19 <br />that is in the form of a pill — <br />a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. , Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA Center for <br />Drug Evaluation and Research, via NPR.<br />Today's authorization introduces <br />the first treatment for COVID-19 <br />that is in the form of a pill — <br />a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. , Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA Center for <br />Drug Evaluation and Research, via NPR.<br />Pfizer's studies suggest taking Paxlovid within three days of exhibiting symptoms could reduce the risk of death and hospitalization by 89%.<br />Pfizer's studies suggest taking Paxlovid within three days of exhibiting symptoms could reduce the risk of death and hospitalization by 89%.<br />NPR reports separate studies showed the pill <br />only reduced 70% of hospitalizations.<br />Experts say the effectiveness of Paxlovid shouldn't diminish when treating Omicron-related infections.<br />The United States will reportedly purchase 10 million courses of Pfizer's new COVID-19 treatment.<br />Pfizer says around 180,000 courses of treatment will be available by the end of the year
