Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer asked federal officials to formally approve its Paxlovid treatment for COVID-19 although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month issued an alert to health care providers that the drug can cause “COVID rebound” symptoms.
Pfizer confirmed on Thursday that it submitted a new drug application Paxlovid to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of COVID-19 in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals who are at a high risk of developing severe symptoms. The medication is currently being administered via an emergency use authorization across the United States.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and be highly unpredictable, we must remain vigilant in protecting those who are at greatest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, as they remain vulnerable to potential hospitalization or even death,” claimed Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla in a statement, adding that the company believes Paxlovid is an “option for mild-to-moderate COVID-19.”…