Merck and Pfizer pills: what we know so far - The first comparison and their cost (vids)

The pills show promise in adults with diagnosed Covid-19 infection, while whether they can prevent infection in healthy people exposed to coronavirus. Here is a summary of what is already known, as well as a first comparison of the pills, according to Reuters.

Which pill «works» best?;

The clinical trial data presented by the two companies show that the Pfizer pill has greater effectiveness, but the company has not yet made the full data public. According to Pfizer, its pill reduces by 89% the likelihood of hospitalisation or death in high-risk patients with Covid-19, if administered within three days of the first symptoms, and by 85% if administered within five days.

Η Merck had earlier (1 October) announced that its own pill reduces the chance of hospitalisation or death by 50% in patients at risk of severe disease if the drug is given within the first five days of the onset of symptoms, while it did not give an estimate of effectiveness if its pill is given earlier, within the first three days.

Pfizer's pill is branded Paxlovid, while Merck's Lavgevrio, at least in Britain where it was approved for circulation.

Why are these two pills important?;

Both are given over five days in two doses: Pfizer's three pills in the morning and three in the evening, while Merck's is four in the morning and four in the evening.

The Pfizer pill belongs to a class of protease inhibitors and blocks an enzyme that the coronavirus needs to multiply inside the patient's body. According to the company, the virus cannot gradually acquire resistance to the new drug, which given in combination with another, ritonavir, an older antiviral that enhances the action of protease inhibitors (but may cause gastrointestinal side effects and “interference” with other drugs).

Merck's pill triggers a biological mechanism designed to cause errors in the genetic code of the coronavirus. Because it induces random genetic mutations in the virus, it is difficult, according to the company, for the virus to become resistant to the drug.

What do we know about pill safety?;

The two companies have so far provided limited data, but have expressed confidence in the safety of the new treatments. Pfizer reported that about 20% of patients in the clinical trials - one in five - had some side effects, mostly mild. Serious side effects were reported for 1.7% of patients taking the pill (vs 6.6% of those taking placebo or placebo).

Merck indicated that 12% of patients who took the pill had side effects. Other drugs in the same class as the new pill have previously been linked to birth defects in animals. Merck assured that similar studies of its new drug over longer periods of time and at higher doses than those used in humans show that her pill doesn't cause birth defects or cancer.

What about the supply of pills?;

The two companies said they are making efforts to expand the global availability of their pills. Pfizer said it expects to produce more than 180,000 treatment lines by the end of 2021 and at least 50 million in 2022. Merck expects to produce 10 million treatment lines by the end of 2021 and at least 20 million in 2022.

How much do they cost?;

In the US, both the vaccines and Covid-19 treatments are provided free of charge by the US government, while other countries negotiate prices with the two companies. Merck has signed an agreement with the US to supply 1.7 million treatment lines, at a total cost of $1.2 billion or about $700 per line (i.e. for each “pack’ of pills for five days). The UK struck a deal for 250,000 sets of Pfizer pills, but at an undisclosed price.