WHO endorses Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill for high-risk patients

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday endorsed the use of Pfizer Inc's oral COVID-19 antiviral treatment in high-risk patients after an analysis of trial data.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday endorsed the use of Pfizer Inc’s oral COVID-19 antiviral treatment in high-risk patients after an analysis of trial data by the U.N. agency showed the therapy dramatically cut the risk of hospitalization.

The recommendation comes as thousands of people die of COVID-19 every week, despite a waning global infection rate. Of existing COVID-19 treatments, Pfizer’s PFE.N Paxlovid is by far the most potent, the WHO said.

Other therapies include Merck & Co’s MRK.N rival pill molnupiravir, Gilead Sciences’ GILD.O intravenous remdesivir and antibody treatments.

A WHO analysis of two Paxlovid clinical trials involving nearly 3,100 patients suggested it reduced the risk of hospitalization by 85%. In high-risk patients – those with over 10% risk of hospitalization – using Paxlovid could lead to 84 fewer hospitalisations per 1,000 patients, the agency said.

“These therapeutics do not replace vaccination. They just give us another treatment option for those patients that do get infected that are at higher risk,” said Janet Diaz, WHO lead on clinical management, referring to patients with underlying chronic conditions, the immunocompromised or unvaccinated.

However, there are challenges that could limit the adoption of Paxlovid. Given it needs to be taken in the early stages of disease to be effective, access to quick and accurate tests are imperative to identify patients.

It can also interact with many common medications, complicating its use. In addition, Paxlovid has not been investigated for use in pregnant women, breastfeeding women or children.

These factors have caused Paxlovid supply to eclipse demand in countries where it has been available for some time.