US FDA advisers back Pfizer COVID treatment for full approval

FILE PHOTO: The Pfizer logo is pictured on their headquarters building in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/

Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday overwhelmingly backed Pfizer’s oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid for full approval in adults at high risk of progression to severe disease.

The FDA’s panel of outside experts voted 16-to-1 in favor of the drug’s benefits, outweighing its risk for some adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

The agency typically follows the advice of its expert advisers but is not required to do so.

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Paxlovid has been authorized for emergency use in the U.S. in mild-to-moderate COVID patients aged 12 years and older since late 2021, but Pfizer’s application for full approval only covers high-risk adults.

READ: FDA grants EUA to Pfizer’s anti – COVID pill Paxlovid

The regulator had earlier on Thursday said the current Paxlovid emergency use authorization (EUA) for high-risk adolescents will continue to remain in effect even if it receives full approval for use in older patients.A full approval would provide doctors more flexibility in prescribing the drug and also allow the company to expand its advertising campaign.

READ: FDA approves generic version of Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill Paxlovid