Doctors are clamoring for the COVID-19 pills now, not just because omicron is causing an explosion of cases, but because two antibody drugs — that were once the go-to treatments — don’t work as well against the variant.
WASHINGTON — Two brand-new COVID-19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the U.S. are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections.
The pills — and other COVID-19 drugs, for that matter — are being carefully rationed, reserved for the highest-risk patients. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said this week that the government collaborated with Pfizer to help speed up development of the pill by several months, and that officials continue to work with the company to look for ways to boost production.
Merck said it has delivered 900,000 courses of the drug and is on track to ship all 3 million ordered by the U.S. by the end of the month. State guidelines generally recommend doctors give priority for the drugs to those at the highest risk, including cancer patients, transplant recipients and people who have lung disease or are pregnant. New York’s guidelines also recommend prioritizing certain racial and ethnic minorities, given their higher rates of severe illness and death.In Michigan, all initial shipments went to 10 pharmacies in the hardest-hit areas.
“I felt a bit privileged in a way,” he said. “The odds that it would land in my plate in the right amount of time were pretty extraordinary.”
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Questions surround the COVID-19 omicron variant's relationship with long-haul COVIDLong-haul COVID is described as having symptoms more than months after an initial infection.
Consulte Mais informação »
South Korea gets first supply of Pfizer's COVID-19 pills | AP NewsSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea on Thursday received its first supply of Pfizer’s antiviral COVID-19 pills to treat patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Health officials have described the Paxlovid pills as a potentially important tool to suppress hospitalizations and deaths, as the country braces for another possible surge in infections driven by the contagious omicron variant.
Consulte Mais informação »
Massachusetts school using dogs to sniff out Covid-19 - CNN VideoCNN's Gary Tuchman reports on an elementary school in Massachusetts using dogs to sniff out Covid-19.
Consulte Mais informação »
COVID-19 live updates: Biden sending medical teams to hospitals in overwhelmed statesAs the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.4 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 842,000 Americans.
Consulte Mais informação »
Opinion: Djokovic saga shows the absurd confusion of Australia's Covid-19 fortress'It remains unclear whether Djokovic will defend his title in next week's Australian Open,' write timsout and mds49, 'But the world has learned a lot more about Australia's border controls, much of which it will take a long time to forget.' | Opinion
Consulte Mais informação »
Rod Stewart’s Tour of Australia Canceled Due to COVID-19 SurgeThe veteran British singer was booked to perform nine concerts throughout March and April 2022.
Consulte Mais informação »