New COVID-19 pill cuts risk of hospitalisation or death by 89%: Pfizer

New COVID-19 pill cuts risk of hospitalisation or death by 89%: Pfizer

Scared of needles? Pfizer has manufactured a COVID-19 pill that significantly reduces the chances of being admitted to a healthcare facility due to severe illness.

Pfizer
AFP

Pfizer says its new COVID-19 pill reduces the risk of hospitalisation or death by 89% when given to high-risk adults within a few days after showing their first symptoms.

READ: Ghana to fine airlines transporting unvaccinated passengers

Pfizer hopes it can eventually offer the pill, Paxlovid, for people to administer at home before their symptoms become severe and they require hospitalisation.

The company expects the drug to provide protection against emerging variants, including Omicron.

READ: Men, loud talkers more likely to spread COVID-19: Study

Pfizer CEO Dr Albert Bourla said that the new treatment has the potential to save the lives of patients around the world, whether they have been vaccinated or not.

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Image Credit: AFP

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