Pfizer Inc’s experimental oral antiviral COVID-19 pill “significantly” reduces the risk of hospitalization and death for high-risk patients, the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company announced on Friday. The drug, known as PAXLOVID, was found in a scheduled interim analysis to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus by 89 percent if the patient receives the drug in time, according to a company press release published on Nov. 5. Antivirals, just like Merck’s molnupiravir, need to be given to patients as early as possible to be most effective, best within days of the onset of symptoms. The British medicines regulator has given a green light on Thursday to a similar oral COVID-19 treatment from Merck and has also filed an emergency use authorization application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). U.S. advisers will meet this month to vote on whether Merck’s antiviral treatment should …