Latest news with #Paxlovid
HKFP
20 hours ago
- Health
- HKFP
Hong Kong gov't to stop providing free Covid-19 antiviral pills to private doctors from July 29
The Hong Kong government has announced that it will stop sponsoring private doctors to provide free Covid-19 oral antiviral pills from July 29, as the coronavirus disease 'has become a common respiratory viral infection.' Free Covid-19 antiviral pills will only be provided at private clinics or hospitals on or before July 28, the government said on Thursday. 'COVID-19 has become a common respiratory viral infection. For the general public, symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are generally mild,' the government said. With Covid-19 currently managed as an upper respiratory tract illness in Hong Kong, the need for the free antiviral pills has declined, it also said. Private doctors should contact drug companies if they intend to provide patients with such pills, it added. Public hospitals will continue to prescribe Covid-19 antiviral drugs to patients with clinical needs. HK$6,000 treatment Hong Kong started supplying private doctors with two Covid-19 oral drugs, namely Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, free of charge in early 2022. As of June 30, private doctors have prescribed 200,000 treatment courses to eligible Covid-19 confirmed patients for free, the government said on Thursday. Each treatment course using antiviral pills costs over HK$6,000. Meanwhile, the level of Covid-19 activity in Hong Kong reached its peak in mid-May following a surge in April, the government also said. According to the Centre for Health Protection, as of July 16, the overall local activity of Covid-19 'has continuously decreased.'
NHK
3 days ago
- Health
- NHK
Japan govt. disposes of expired oral coronavirus drugs for 2.5 million people
Japan's health ministry says oral COVID-19 drugs for about 2.5 million people were disposed of after passing their expiry dates. Based on the special anti-virus law, the government purchased three types of oral coronavirus drugs to treat about 5.6 million people. It supplied them for free to medical institutions and pharmacies through May 2023, when the government downgraded COVID-19 to the same level as the seasonal influenza. The health ministry says PaxlovidPACK for about 1.75 million people and Lagevrio for about 780,000 people were disposed of by the end of February. The ministry also says that Xocova for about 1.77 million people is expected to be discarded by the end of July next year. The ministry says it has considered ways to utilize the drugs. However, officials decided to dispose of them after considering how their supply for free could impact the drug market. The ministry explains that the purchase was made to ensure the provision of coronavirus medication for people needing them, as their initial supply was limited.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Blue-Chip Stock Is 20% Off Its Highs. Should You Buy the Dip?
Pfizer (PFE), a global pharmaceutical giant that was once a pandemic darling, is now facing turbulence. Following a period of extraordinary vaccine-driven revenue, the company now faces a more sobering reality. Declining pandemic-related sales and increased competition in key therapeutic areas have raised investor concerns about the company's future. Pfizer stock has fallen 15.5% in the last year. Investors are now wondering whether Pfizer's ambitious cost-cutting initiatives and new pipeline drugs will revive the company's declining stock price. Retirement Ready: 3 Dividend Stocks to Set and Forget Forget Chasing Yields: These 3 Dividend Stocks Are Built to Last Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. In the first quarter of 2025, Pfizer reported revenues of $13.7 billion, down 8% year-over-year. This decline stemmed from an expected drop in Paxlovid sales, as well as changes in U.S. Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Management emphasized that the decline in legacy blockbusters such as Paxlovid, Eliquis, Xeljanz, and Ibrance was offset by growth in products such as Vyndaqel, Comirnaty, Padcev, Nurtec, and Lorbrena. However, the company's bottom line showed encouraging growth. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.92, exceeding consensus expectations and representing a 12% from the prior-year period. This increase was driven by higher gross margins, tighter cost controls, and favorable tax resolutions. The adjusted gross margin increased to 81%, reflecting Pfizer's improved product mix and reduced royalty obligations. During the Q1 earnings call, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla emphasized the company's ongoing transformation and discipline across all operations. He emphasized concentrating less on underperforming assets and more on late-stage, high-potential assets in oncology, vaccines, inflammation and immunology (I&I), and internal medicine. In April, Pfizer discontinued danuglipron, an obesity drug in its internal pipeline. While the decision appeared to be a setback for investors, it reflects Pfizer's renewed willingness to cut losses early and redirect efforts. Importantly, Pfizer anticipates total net savings of $7.7 billion by 2027, which it intends to reinvest in pipeline development. This includes at least $4.5 billion in total net cost savings by the end of 2025. These new savings will be primarily achieved through the use of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital business process simplification. These savings could help boost both earnings growth and investment in innovation. While cost cuts have temporarily stabilized margins, investor sentiment ultimately depends on Pfizer's pipeline development. The company has around 108 clinical programs underway. 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point for pipeline milestones, with at least four regulatory decisions and up to nine Phase 3 readouts. While its pipeline includes several disease areas, oncology stands out as the most immediate and significant growth driver. One notable candidate is sasanlimab, which is being tested in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The Phase 3 CREST trial results were positive, indicating promise in a field where treatment has not advanced in over 30 years. Padcev, a key component of Pfizer's oncology portfolio, is another critical asset. Along with Merck's (MRK) pembrolizumab, it is currently the most commonly prescribed first-line treatment for locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer in the U.S. Additionally, Elrexfio is a therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. A Phase 3 readout is expected this year, which could lead to a significantly larger patient pool and longer treatment durations. Pfizer's antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), specifically PDL1 vedotin and sigvotatug vedotin (SV), are arguably the company's most promising candidates. Both are intended to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the world's most common and lethal cancer. If successful, these best-in-class ADCs could change the global standard of care in this critical area. Vaccines are another area of strategic investment. Pfizer hopes that its fourth- and fifth-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) will solidify its leadership in pneumococcal prevention. Despite recent revenue struggles, Pfizer continues to prioritize long-term shareholder value, proving its worth as a defensive dividend stock. In the first quarter, it returned $2.4 billion to shareholders through dividends. It offers an appealing yield of 7%, which is significantly higher than the healthcare average of 1.6%. On Wall Street, Pfizer stock is rated a 'Moderate Buy.' Out of the 22 analysts who cover PFE stock, six rate it a 'Strong Buy,' one says it is a 'Moderate Buy,' 14 rate it a 'Hold," and one suggests a 'Strong Sell.' Its average price target of $27.71 suggests that the stock can increase by 12.7% over current levels. However, its high target price of $33 implies upside potential of 34% over the next 12 months. Pfizer is clearly at a crossroads. With the COVID-19 tailwinds gone, the company must now show that it can reinvent itself as a leaner, innovation-driven pharma powerhouse. Its cost-cutting strategy is working well, and it has laid the groundwork for the next phase of growth, particularly in oncology, vaccines, and internal medicine. However, Pfizer's stock revival will depend on whether the maturing pipeline can generate significant new revenue streams. Investors with patience and a long-term outlook may find Pfizer's reset an appealing entry point, with its stock trading 22% lower than its 52-week high of $31.54. However, for risk-averse investors, Pfizer remains a biotech stock to watch from the sidelines. On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Nikkei Asia
4 days ago
- Health
- Nikkei Asia
Japan discards 2.5m doses of expired COVID drugs from Pfizer, Merck
Japan discarded 1.75 million doses of Pfizer's Paxlovid treatment for COVID-19 by November 2024. © Reuters OSHIRO SEKIGUCHI TOKYO -- Roughly 2.5 million doses of oral COVID-19 medication bought by the Japanese government during the pandemic expired and were disposed of by the end of February, Nikkei has learned. About 1.75 million doses of Pfizer's Paxlovid were discarded by November, along with roughly 780,000 doses of Lagevrio from Japanese Merck arm MSD by February, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reports.
Medscape
10-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Most COVID-19 Drugs Fall Short, Meta-Analysis Confirms
Treatment options for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 are becoming increasingly well established. A systematic review and network meta-analysis published in The BMJ evaluated 40 treatments across 187 randomized trials involving more than 166,000 participants. Only two antivirals, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) and remdesivir, were found to moderately reduce the risk for hospitalization. No treatment reduced mortality, although some treatments were associated with a shorter duration of symptoms. These findings are expected to guide future World Health Organization (WHO) treatment recommendations. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, emerged in late 2019 and continues to circulate worldwide. In 2024, Italy recorded 3154 COVID-19-related deaths, according to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, despite a sharp decline in surveillance. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 8000 clinical trials have been conducted to identify effective treatment options. Disease Phases COVID-19 progresses through two distinct phases: An early viral replication phase (mild disease) and a later inflammatory phase (severe disease), which may lead to a cytokine storm, respiratory failure, and multiorgan dysfunction. As each phase involves different biological mechanisms, the treatment effectiveness must be assessed accordingly. This meta-analysis specifically focused on patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, a population for which therapeutic evidence remains limited. Study Design Researchers conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis using the COVID-19 Living Overview of Evidence database, which compiles all randomized clinical trials related to COVID-19. The final analysis included 187 trials with data from 166,230 participants, which compiled all randomized clinical trials related to COVID-19. Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 was defined according to the WHO criteria as follows: oxygen saturation ≥ 90% on room air; respiratory rate ≤ 30 breaths per minute; and no signs of respiratory distress, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, or septic shock. The primary outcomes included mortality, hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, and time-to-symptom resolution. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Hospitalization and Duration Paxlovid reduced hospitalizations by 25 per 1000 patients treated, with an estimated range of 20-28 fewer cases and moderate-certainty evidence. Remdesivir had a slightly smaller effect, preventing 21 hospitalizations per 1000 patients (range, 7-28 fewer), also with moderate certainty. Molnupiravir and corticosteroids may help reduce hospitalizations, but the evidence is of low certainty. Doxycycline shortened hospital stay by 1.33 days, with an estimated range of 0.03-2.63 days shorter, supported by moderate-certainty evidence. Lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra) increased hospital stay by 1.77 days (range, 0.34-2.19 days longer) and was the only treatment clearly linked to adverse events that led to stopping treatment, both with high-certainty evidence. Symptom Duration Azithromycin showed the greatest benefit in shortening symptom duration, reducing it by an average of 4 days (typically from 5 days to 1 day), with moderate certainty. Other agents that shortened symptom duration by 2-3.5 days included molnupiravir, systemic corticosteroids, favipiravir, and umifenovir. All these findings were supported by moderate- to high-certainty evidence. Limitations The main limitation of this review was the small number of events for many drugs and outcomes, which resulted in serious imprecision. This limitation may be due to the study's focus on patients with mild or moderate COVID-19, who were less likely to be hospitalized or die. Consequently, many estimates remain uncertain. Symptom resolution data were also limited because of inconsistencies in how the studies measured and reported outcomes. Conclusions No drug demonstrated a significant benefit for most of the outcomes. Conversely, high-certainty evidence indicates that few treatments are ineffective. 'According to our classification, no drug was convincingly different from standard care for the outcomes of mortality, mechanical ventilation, venous thromboembolism, or clinically important bleeding. However, rating certainty using a different target may provide important insights. For example, some interventions suggested little or no effects. For mortality, low-certainty evidence suggested that nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and molnupiravir provided little or no benefit. For mechanical ventilation, moderate-certainty evidence indicated that JAK inhibitors provide little or no benefit to patients. Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that prophylactic-dose anticoagulation provides little or no benefit for venous thromboembolism and results in little or no increase in clinically important bleeding. Several interventions do not appear to offer any benefit for patient-important outcomes, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, aspirin, colchicine, fluvoxamine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and lopinavir-ritonavir. Lopinavir-ritonavir also increases the risk of adverse effects leading to treatment discontinuation and prolongs hospital stay,' the authors said. The authors added that drug efficacy is not the only factor that clinicians should consider. 'Some of the included drugs have downsides that were not captured in this review; however, further details are available in the guidelines. For example, molnupiravir may be carcinogenic, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir has numerous critical drug-drug interactions, and remdesivir is administered intravenously. Thus, while this review provides an overview of the evidence, individual considerations — such as patient values and preferences, contraindications, drug-drug interactions, and drug-specific adverse events not included in this review — must be considered when deciding whether to use any medication' the authors concluded.
