Pfizer to supply UNICEF oral COVID-19 treatment for low- and middle-income countries
pharmafile | March 23, 2022 | News story | Research and Development |
Pfizer have announced the signing of a supply agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to deliver up to four million courses of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), the company’s oral therapy for COVID-19.
The treatment courses will be available for supply to 95 low- and middle-income countries that account for approximately 53% of the world’s population, beginning in April 2022, pending authorisation.
This includes all low- and lower-middle-income countries and some upper-middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside countries that have transitioned from lower-middle to upper-middle-income status in the last five years.
Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla commented: “We have seen the negative impacts of COVID-19 in every part of the world and know that we must work towards access for all people regardless of where they live or their circumstances.
“Supplying to UNICEF is an important part of our comprehensive strategy to accelerate access to Paxlovid to treat COVID-19 infection as quickly as possible and at an affordable price in order to decrease the strain on healthcare systems and help save lives in low- and middle-income countries.”
Paxlovid is intended for use at initial COVID-19 infection, or exposure to COVID-19, to prevent severe disease. Paxlovid is an inhibitor of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, given twice a day for five days.
Nirmatrelvir has demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity against earlier and current variants of concern, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Omicron.
Globally, there have been over 6.1 million deaths attributed to COVID-19. There are currently over 474 million cases of the virus around the world.
Ana Ovey
