PFE Pfizer Inc

By Kathryn Hardison

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized pharmacists to prescribe Pfizer Inc.'s antiviral Paxlovid pill to eligible patients, with some limitations, for the treatment of Covid-19.

Paxlovid is authorized for adults and pediatric patients with mild-to-moderate cases who are at high risk for progression to severe Covid-19, including hospitalization or death. It must be taken within five days after symptoms begin, the FDA said.

Pharmacists should refer patients for clinical evaluations if they don't have enough information available related to potential drug interactions or to asses renal and hepatic functions, among other limitations.

Patrizia Cavazzoni, director for the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement that "authorizing state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid could expand access to timely treatment for some patients who are eligible to receive this drug for the treatment of COVID-19."

Pfizer requested full FDA approval last week. Pfizer has been selling the drug to the federal government under an authorization for emergency use. The federal government has then been directing the pills' distribution.

Write to Kathryn Hardison at kathryn.hardison@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 06, 2022 13:56 ET (17:56 GMT)

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