WHO issues ‘strong recommendation’ for use of Paxlovid

The World Health Organization has issued a “strong recommendation” for the use of Pfizer’s Paxlovid anti-viral pill for COVID-19. Studies have shown that the treatment, a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, reduces the number of high-risk patients being admitted to the hospital by 85%. WHO called on Pfizer to make the drug more readily available to low- and middle-income countries. In February, Pfizer said it expected sales of the Paxlovid to reach $22bn in 2022.