The FDA’s Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted 16-1 in favor of Paxlovid, finding the medicine was protected and powerful for treating COVID-19 in higher-threat adults.

Paxlovid was granted emergency use authorization in December 2021. Due to the fact then, it has been employed by millions of Americans to treat coronavirus infections.

This endorsement comes quickly following the FDA determined the drug was powerful and not linked to what has been known as “Paxlovid rebound,” when symptoms return quickly following finishing a course of remedy.

Therapies like Paxlovid, along with fellow COVID-19 antiviral molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback, became extra broadly identified following the White Property announced its Test-to-Treat initiative that aimed to give persons rapid and simple access to medication following testing constructive for a coronavirus infection.

The drug has some drawbacks, even so, as it does have identified interactions with other medicines and usually can not be prescribed if it signifies stopping an additional prescription that a patient is taking.

And even though complete approval would place an additional feather in Pfizer’s cap, the organization itself is not expecting numerous returns for this drug, at least this year. Pfizer is anticipating a steep drop in income brought in from Paxlovid for 2023, expecting a 58 % drop as the federal government ends its acquire agreement for vaccines and remedies.