Pfizer Will Begin Distribution Of 6 Million Paxlovid Treatments To Low-And-Middle Income Countries

Pfizer has begun providing 132 low- and-middle-income, Global Fund-eligible countries with six million Paxlovid treatment courses. Initially announced in May, the shipment is part of Global Fund’s Covid-19 Response Mechanism, the independent financing company’s main avenue for providing Covid tests, treatment and equipment to these countries.

“This agreement with Global Fund is a critical step that will boost equitable access for high-risk patients in low- and-middle-income countries,” Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer said in a press release announcing the shipment.

Paxlovid was the first oral antiviral treatment for Covid-19 granted emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2021. Paxlovid is made up of two separate medications: two doses of nirmatrelvir and one dose of ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir stops a key enzyme that causes the coronavirus to replicate, and ritonavir – once used to treat HIV/AIDS – is used to boost levels of nirmatrelvir so that it stays in the body’s system longer. Patients take three pills twice a day for five days.

All participating countries will be supplied treatment based on Pfizer’s tiered pricing which places low- and-lower-income countries paying a not-for-profit price and upper-middle-income countries paying an as-yet undisclosed price stipulated by Pfizer.

Though Paxlovid is readily available in the U.S. and Europe, Pfizer has received criticism for limited access to the drug elsewhere. In April, the World Health Organization condemned the $246 billion market cap company for limited distribution and lack of price transparency for Paxlovid. WHO expressed its concern that “low- and middle-income countries will again be pushed to the end of the queue when it comes to accessing this treatment.”

This agreement with Global Fund is a part of Pfizer’s plan to address these criticisms by distributing Paxlovid worldwide. To that end, Pfizer is also working with UNICEF to supply 95 low-and-middle-income countries with four million courses of Paxlovid.

Pfizer has partnered with two other organizations to distribute Paxlovid worldwide. It will donate 100,000 courses of the drug to the Covid Treatment Quick Start Consortium for 10 African and Southeast Asian countries. Pfizer has also signed a licensing agreement with Medicines Patent Pool, a United Nations-backed public health organization, to assist in the creation and distribution of generic versions of Paxlovid. Expected to be ready by the end of the year, these generics will be available in 95 low- and lower-middle-income countries.

“After so much disruption and loss due to Covid-19, we must continue to accelerate access to Paxlovid as a safe and effective treatment option for high-risk patients in all regions along with test and [treatment] programs that help get treatment quickly to those in need,” Bourla said.