S. Korea approves Pfizer's COVID-19 oral pill for emergency use

Seoul: South Korea has given emergency-use approval of Pfizer's (PFE.N) antiviral pills for COVID-19, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said.  

Last week, South Korea restored tough distancing curbs after easing them in November, after a series of record daily new infections and serious cases stretched medical services, despite a vaccination rate of over 92% for those aged 18 or older.

Drug safety minister, Kim Gang-lip in a press briefing said, Pfizer's oral antiviral treatment, called Paxlovid, is "expected to help prevent serious deterioration of patients admitted to residential treatment centers or being treated at home," by diversifying COVID-19 treatments beyond injections currently used in the field. 

The drug will be used for adults or children 12 years or older weighing over 40kg with mild to moderate symptoms with a high risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus due to causes such as underlying diseases.

Another oral coronavirus treatment called molnupiravir, developed by Merck (MRK.N) known as MSD outside of the United States (US) and Canada, applied for emergency use earlier in December.

The ministry, however, is still reviewing as they need additional info on efficacy.