Pfizer Inc. has signed a deal with a U.N.-backed group and announced that it would grant a license to make its experimental COVID-19 pill. This would enable generic drug companies to manufacture the medicines and supply them in 95 countries, covering about 53% of the worlds population.

Esteban Burrone, the head of the Medicines Patent Pool, praised the Pfizer effort and said that they would be able to provide an effective drug to more than 4 billion people within months. 

Pfizer has further stated that it will not receive royalties on sales in low-income countries and will waive royalties on sales in all countries covered by the agreement while COVID-19 remains a public health emergency. Earlier, Pfizer stated that its COVID-19 pill would reduce the hospitalization and death rate by 90% in people with mild to moderate coronavirus infections. Hence, On Tuesday, Pfizer requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize the pill.

Source: The Indian Express