White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Gents welcomes the news FDA emergency authorization Pfizer’s antiviral pill on Wednesday, told reporters the treatment “dramatically reduces the risk of hospitalization and death for those at risk.”
“According to Pfizer, the complex chemicals involved in making the active ingredient in the pill mean that production takes about six to eight months, so the supply of this product will increase over the next several months,” Ziants said.
“Knowing that manufacturing these pills takes time, Pfizer has continued to scale up their production plans, and now that the pill has been authorized, we will discuss it to find out how we can produce them by providing the necessary resources. How can we help improve manufacturing efficiencies even more,” she continued.
Per Giants, the White House has purchased 10 million courses of Pfizer’s antiviral treatment, with 265,000 available in January and “with a monthly total of pills throughout the year and all 10 million treatment courses delivered by late summer.”
“As soon as Pfizer receives pills manufactured and distributed, we will immediately provide them to states and jurisdictions for distribution,” Ziants told reporters, focusing on equitable distribution as needed.
“Not only are we urging states to ensure parity in their distribution plans, but we are distributing antivirals directly to community health centers across the country – this will help ensure that these life-saving antivirals are delivered to the most vulnerable communities. are available for and difficult- affected populations across the country,” he said.
Earlier Wednesday: President Biden commended in a statement FDA emergency use authorization of Pfizer’s antiviral pill, writing, “With today’s action, we add the first oral treatment to our nation’s medicine cabinet and take an important step on our way out of the pandemic.”
“As emerging science showed the promise of this antiviral, we acted quickly and aggressively to purchase 10 million treatment courses – more than in any other country in the world,” Biden writes, adding more than 250,000 treatment courses. Promise to be available. In January, “we will work with states to ensure they are being distributed equitably and fairly and that our hardest-hit communities reach them.”
In closing, Biden pledged “any resources needed” to ensure delivery, including using the Defense Production Act “if necessary.”
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