FDA approves first oral COVID-19 treatment for emergency use in mild to moderate COVID cases

December 22, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

This image provided by Pfizer in October 2021 shows the company's COVID-19 Paxlovid pills. U.S. health regulators on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus. (Pfizer via AP)

This image provided by Pfizer in October 2021 shows the company’s COVID-19 Paxlovid pills. (Pfizer via AP)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 5:07 PM PT – Wednesday, December 22, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID anti-viral pill treatment for emergency use.

On Wednesday, the FDA authorized Pfizer’s “Paxlovid” for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus cases in high-risk individuals. The treatment consists of three different pills.

The FDA stressed the treatment isn’t for people experiencing severe disease and has not been approved as a preventative against COVID-19. It is however, available for those as young as 12 that weigh at least 88 pounds.

The FDA noted it’s also not an alternative to COVID vaccines and have encouraged people to still get inoculated. Meanwhile, the federal government announced last month it would purchase 10 million courses of the drug in a $5 billion deal.

FDA issued an EUA for Paxlovid for the treatment of mild-to-moderate #COVID19 in adults & pediatric patients (age 12 & older weighing at least 40 kg) w/ positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 testing, and at high risk for progression to severe #COVID19. https://t.co/HVmpdFDJ7r pic.twitter.com/JjqHaKjORY

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) December 22, 2021