What’s happening with antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19? – CBC
Pfizer and Merck have both submitted potential treatments to Health Canada for authorization
Nov 05, 2021
Pfizer Canada has submitted its experimental antiviral medication to treat early COVID-19 to Health Canada.
The submission, received on Dec. 1, is now “under review,” according to Health Canada’s COVID-19 drug and vaccine applications database.
The move comes almost a month after Pfizer announced that its antiviral drug looked so promising that independent experts recommended stopping clinical trials.
Another antiviral pill for the treatment of COVID-19, manufactured by Merck, was submitted to Health Canada on August 13. It is still listed as “under review.”
Experts emphasize that vaccination is still the primary and most effective defence against COVID, but welcome the possibility of an oral medication to save lives and prevent hospitalization among people who become infected. Here’s what we know about COVID-19 antivirals so far.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pfizer-merck-antivirals-covid-19-1.6238752
