Drugs to treat COVID 19 may be allowed later this year, says Pfizer

Bourla said the company is submitting data to the FDA on its COVID-19 pill, which is likely to also work against the omicron variant.

Pfizer’s own research shows that its pill reduces the risk of COVID-19 patients being hospitalized or dying by 89%. To be most effective, the medication must be taken within three days of the patient being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Bourla said referring to the Pfizer pills. “But at the same time, I want to emphasize that no one should use the existence of the pill as an excuse to evade vaccination.”

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These pills have an 88% success rate when given within five days of an unvaccinated, high-risk patient being diagnosed with the virus.

The FDA has yet to issue a licensing decision on the first set of COVID-19 drugs that Merck filed a few months ago. An FDA panel voted 13-10 that the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks, including potential birth defects if used during pregnancy.

Merck’s drug has been approved for use in the UK.

It is unclear when or whether Merck or Pfizer oral treatments may be made available to the public in the United States.