The Paxlovid antiviral pill is the sixth treatment against COVID-19, approved in the European Union, said Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou, on the occasion of the approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) of the drug, produced by Pfizer.
As Ms. Kyriakidou, the EU has made good progress on the second line of defence against the pandemic, and in particular on treatments that "can potentially make a real contribution to limiting the impact of COVID-19".
"Following the approval of Paxlovid this week, six treatments against COVID-19 have been approved under the EU Strategy for Pharmacotherapeutic Agents, covering different stages of the disease, with more expected in the coming weeks."
Kyriakidou pointed out that Paxlovid is the first oral antiviral drug in the EU portfolio, and that it can make a real difference in protecting people at high risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, while according to data available to researchers the drug promises to be effective against Omicron variant and other variants.
The Commissioner explained that, as in the case of vaccines, the European authorities jointly identify candidate medicines and treatments, and jointly negotiate supply contracts with manufacturing companies on behalf of all Member States.
Already, he pointed out, two joint contracts worth almost a billion euros have been signed, and procedures have been launched for additional agreements, "including for oral antivirals for which negotiations with companies are under way".
This practice, he concluded, "offers equal and simultaneous access to Member States for all vaccines and medicines and reflects the solidarity at the heart of a strong European Health Union."
Source: CNA
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