Pfizer Inc announced that it is going to allow generic manufacturers to supply its antiviral pill against COVID-19 to 95 low- and middle-income countries. It has entered into a licensing agreement with the international group Medicines Patent Pool (MPP).

The agreement between Pfizer and the MPP will enable the group to provide sub-licences to generic drug manufacturers in order to manufacture their own versions of the drug PF-07321332. Pfizer had earlier announced the results of a clinical trial which showed that the pill reduces the likelihood of hospitalization or death for adults at risk of severe COVID-19 by 89%. The drug will be given in combination with ritonavir.

The countries included in the agreement cover nearly 53% of the world′s population. These include all low- and lower-middle-income nations and some of the upper-middle-income countries from Sub-Saharan Africa. Also included in the agreement are the countries that have moved from lower-middle status to upper-middle-income category over the past five years… (Reuters, November 16, 2021)