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Prognosis

Pfizer’s Covid Pill Get WHO Endorsement for High-Risk Patients

Boxes of Pfizer Inc.’s Paxlovid antiviral medication. — Boxes of Pfizer Inc.’s Paxlovid antiviral medication.
Photographer: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg

By

Clara Hernanz Lizarraga

April 21, 2022, 10:01 PM UTC

The World Health Organization endorsed Pfizer Inc.’s antiviral pill Paxlovid for Covid-19 patients who are most at risk, saying that it “strongly recommends” the drug for people who aren’t severely ill.

People who are older, not vaccinated or immuno-suppressed should take the medicine as soon as possible if they get ill to reduce the risk of hospitalization, according to a guideline published in the BMJ by a group of experts advising the health agency.