US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorisation for Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral, Paxlovid few weeks ago. Trial results released by the manufacturer indicate that the drug cuts the risk of hospitalisation or death for high-risk patients by 88%, compared with the placebo, if given within 5 days of symptom onset.

A second oral antiviral, Merck Sharp & Dohme’s (MSD) molnupiravir, received FDA authorisation on Dec 23.

In a phase 3 study of 1433 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and at least one risk factor for severe illness, treatment with molnupiravir within 3 days of symptom onset reduced the chances of hospitalisation or death by 30%, compared with the placebo.

Remdesivir has already been shown to shorten recovery times in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Trial results published last month showed that it is also effective earlier in the disease course.

Treatment with remdesivir within 7 days of the appearance of symptoms reduced the chances of hospitalisation or death by 87%, compared with the placebo, for non-hospitalised patients with COVID-19 who were at high risk of severe disease.

But the drug has to be administered intravenously, which drastically limits its utility, especially in patients who would otherwise be expected to isolate at home.

Read More