E-Paper
Sign In
Covid-19: WHO to set guidelines on antiviral pills soon
UK became the first country to approve one of the potentially game-changing pills earlier this month.
- PUBLISHED: Fri 12 Nov 2021, 10:42 PM UPDATED: Fri 12 Nov 2021, 10:43 PM
World Health Organization (WHO) officials said on Friday they were hoping to convene a meeting soon to set guidelines on the use of Covid-19 antiviral pills, saying they offered "very attractive" new prospects for clinical care.
Britain became the first country to approve one of the potentially game-changing pills earlier this month. Janet Diaz, the WHO's top official for clinical care responses, said that a meeting of its guidelines development group would consider the question of Covid pills in a forthcoming meeting in three weeks.
Recommended For You
Another WHO official Mike Ryan said preliminary findings on the pills was "very, very welcome", adding that a "careful process" was not required before the therapies should be expanded more broadly.
"Clearly, having a second line approach of being able to treat those who do get infected is a very attractive and being able to save lives in that manner is very attractive," he said.
Last week Pfizer Inc's said its experimental antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 cut by 89 per cent the chance of hospitalization or death for adults at risk of severe disease.
ALSO READ:
Covid-19: UAE in talks with leading company to introduce new anti-viral pill
Pfizer in talks with 90 countries for its anti-Covid pill: CEO
Pfizer says antiviral pill cuts risk of severe Covid-19 by 89%
UK to roll out Covid-19 antiviral pill trial this month
At the same briefing, WHO principal legal officer Steven Solomon said that talks on an international treaty to boost pandemic preparedness were advancing ahead of a major meeting of the body later this month.
"There is good reason to believe they (WHO members) will come to a successful conclusion," he said.
ALSO READ:
Pfizer anti-Covid pill: US has secured millions of doses, says Biden
Pfizer's anti-Covid pill: UK health minister hails 'incredible results' of trial
Discussions are also advancing on a potential emergency use listing for Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, the WHO's Mariangela Simao said, adding that further inspections were required. "The process is moving again which is very good news," she said.