Three different trials are underway for the Pfizer pill for the coronavirus, which are aimed not only at those who have become ill but also at people who live in the same house as those who are sick.
Along with the distribution of vaccines, the company is studying the alternatives, so that the treatments that are already provided to patients, and so far are exclusively injectable, ie provided in the hospital, are accessible to citizens and from home with oral medication. .
Albert Burla, CEO of Pfizer, speaks to the Free Press about the testing phase of the coronavirus, the course of the pandemic, but also the new possibilities and "weapons" provided by science to transcend humanity. the unprecedented situation caused by his raid Covid-19.
Pfizer is working to produce an oral drug. When will we know about its effectiveness and which cases of patients it concerns?
Despite the progress of vaccinations worldwide, there are still people who get coronavirus. We continue to have several hospital admissions, but also hospital deaths. There are treatments, but they are injectable, ie you have to go to the hospital to receive them, so we aim for an oral treatment, so that someone can receive it at home. There are currently three different tests for three different situations and they are in the third phase. We have patients who have severe symptoms but also people who are in the same house with someone who has just become ill. We consider the fact that not only the patient but also the one who lives in the same house with him takes the pill. And we are studying whether such an action will prevent further transmission of the disease. By the end of the year we will know if the tests we are conducting are effective.
With regard to vaccinations, do you consider that the third dose is necessary in the general population?
Each country decides, depending on its data and population, who should receive the dose. Some countries decide to make it available to the whole population and others to vulnerable groups or seniors. Our view is that the third dose is safe and effective at all ages and needs to be administered at all ages.
After the completion of the third installment, do you consider it possible that the scenario of annual "reminder" installments will prevail?
It is too early to know the evolution of the pandemic. But with the data so far, yes, the most likely scenario is that after the third dose we will have immunity, which will last about a year. Then we can proceed with annual "booster" vaccinations, just like with the flu.
Are you worried about virus mutations? Is there a strain that may not be covered by the vaccine?
We are constantly monitoring the development of new executives. At the moment there is no one who goes beyond the possibilities of the vaccine. It is possible, however, that at some point a stronger strain of the vaccine will occur. But we have the ability to deal with it through a process, within 100 days. MRNA technology offers the advantage of producing a new vaccine by replacing a code.
How long do you think we will still live with him Covid-19; When could we get back to normal?
It was an unprecedented situation for the whole world. Unfortunately, many mourned the victims, but I remain optimistic that we will overcome it because we have very strong scientific weapons, which we did not hope from the beginning that they would be so strong. We expected them to be 70% effective, but in the end we had over 90%. I have the impression that in the next 9-12 months, if the vaccinations continue, we will be able to return to normal life. In the western world even within the next six months and in the rest of the world within 9 to 12 months.
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