Coronavirus: Two antiviral pills that could help fight COVID-19 in 2022, according to WHO – Times of India

Since the introduction of the novel coronavirus, pharmaceutical companies have been looking for ways to stop the spread of the virus and reduce the impact of COVID-19 infection. While the launch of the corona virus vaccine was a major milestone in our fight against the virus, recently COVID antiviral drugs have become the talk of the town.

According to Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe, new drugs against Kovid-19 will significantly increase the chances of survival of coronavirus patients in critical condition in 2022.

The European Medicines Agency, the European Union’s drug regulator, has recommended the use of two COVID-19 antiviral tablets – Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Molnupiravir – before formal approval.

Kluge told TASS News, “I’m also encouraged by new anti-viral drugs, which are expected to hit the market in 2022, which greatly increase the chances of survival for patients who end up in the hospital with severe COVID-19.” Will increase.” agency.

Paxlovid and molnupiravir have both been shown to reduce the chances of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 by 89 percent and 30 percent, respectively, in high-risk patients.

Kluge also emphasized that the next generation of vaccines would be more effective against newly emerging strains.

“I cannot predict the future. But it should be noted that current vaccines are the first generation of COVID-19 vaccines. Future vaccines will be adapted and adapted to new or emerging variants, making them more effective.

“It’s not that different with influenza vaccines already in place, which adapt to new strains of flu on an almost annual basis,” he said.

According to Pfizer, laboratory tests show that PaxLovid continues to work against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. CEO Albert Bourla estimated that for every 100,000 COVID patients taking the pills, the pills could cause 1,200 deaths and 6,000 hospitalizations.

Authorization for molanupiravir is limited to adults over the age of 18 who are at high risk of serious disease and “for whom alternative FDA-authorized treatment options are not accessible or medically appropriate,” the US Food and Drug Administration said in a statement. Huh.” It is also not recommended for use in pregnant people.

Both Pfizer and Merck tablets should be taken early, within 3-5 days of getting COVID, and multiple tablets are needed several times a day for five days.


(With inputs from IANS)