US to double supply of Pfizer pill to treat COVID-19

US President Biden announced that his administration would double its order of Pfizer’s scarce Covid-19 antiviral drug, which has been shown to reduce hospitalizations, Report informs, citing The New York Times.

The new order will eventually provide enough pills for an additional 10 million Americans, bringing the government’s total order of the drug to 20 million treatment courses.

Mr. Biden on Tuesday said that in addition to more federal test sites opening, the administration’s plan to have insurers reimburse people for at-home tests would go into effect soon, as would a website allowing Americans to order free tests delivered to their homes, from a pool of 500 million being ordered by the federal government.

Pfizer pills are called Paxlovid. They are indicated for use immediately after testing positive for COVID-19 or within five days after the onset of its symptoms. The US medical regulator, the FDA, approved the drug in December. Side effects include impaired taste, diarrhea, high blood pressure and muscle pain.