Biden doubles availability of Covid-19 pills

Europe 1 with AFP 4:53 p.m., April 26, 2022

Joe Biden's administration announced on Tuesday that it is doubling the number of places where at-risk Americans can get free Covid-19 treatment pills.

These oral drugs, like Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral, are seen as a new weapon of choice in the fight against the virus that has killed nearly a million people in the United States alone and continues to spread. .

A treatment authorized for those over 12 years old

"One of the most effective treatments available is Pfizer's antiviral pill, Paxlovid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by around 90%," a reporter told reporters. senior government official.

With 20 million treatments ordered, the government now has "vast stocks" and will double the distribution locations to around 40,000, the official said.

The pills are notably available in pharmacies and in hospitals and health centers, and the American drug agency, the FDA, has authorized this treatment for high-risk patients aged 12 and over.

500,000 antiviral treatments have been administered in the United States

So far, about 500,000 antiviral treatments have been administered, the senior official said, and the pace is accelerating.

The Biden administration's anti-Covid strategy, however, is under threat of blockage in Congress, which is unable to agree on new funding.

The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, assured that funds had already been allocated to pay for the 20 million antiviral treatments ordered.

But what “really worries us, in the future, are future treatments. So we need this funding from Congress to guarantee (to be able to meet) basic needs”, he underlined.