Coronavirus pill set to be rolled out to half the world’s population

Drugmaker Pfizer Inc has signed a deal with a UN-backed group to allow other manufacturers to make its experimental COVID-19 pill, a move that could make the treatment available to more than half of the world’s population.

In a statement, Pfizer said it would grant a licence for the antiviral pill to the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool, which would let generic drug companies produce the pill for use in 95 countries, making up about 53 per cent of the world’s population.

The deal excludes some large countries that have suffered devastating coronavirus outbreaks.

Still, health officials said the fact that the deal was struck even before Pfizer’s pill has been authorised anywhere, could help to end the pandemic quicker.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will not receive royalties on sales in low-income countries and will waive royalties on sales in all countries covered by the agreement while COVID-19 remains a public health emergency.

Source: 9news.com.au