Pfizer asked the FDA on Tuesday to authorize the treatment, which was found to reduce hospitalizations and death.
WASHINGTON – The Biden administration plans to buy 10 million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill , as US regulators weigh whether to authorize the drug, which has been found to greatly reduce hospitalizations and deaths. by the virus, according to a source familiar with NBC.
Initially, the federal government planned to buy 5 million doses of the treatment (one dose requires the patient to take two pills over five days), but President Joe Biden told officials to double the amount after seeing how effective the treatment was. in data released by Pfizer earlier this month, the source said, adding that the contract has not been finalized.
The deal, along with another $ 2.2 billion worth to buy more than 3 million doses of another antiviral pill to treat COVID-19, would give the US another tool to fight the pandemic and could greatly benefit those who remain without. vaccinate as they have a significantly higher risk of hospitalization or death.