Why Paxlovid For Covid Is Likely Useless
Recently, Pfizer’s new COVID antiviral pill paxlovid was approved for emergency use by the FDA. Nonetheless, the following are salient issues with the drug that warrant close observation.
To begin, understand the paxlovid COVID-19 EPIC-HR randomized control trial revealed an 89% risk reduction in death & hospitalization. However, the 89% figure is the relative difference between 2 figures. Meaning, those treated reduced their actual risk from 7% to 1% which equals 6%. So, the ~6% drop is a more genuine figure. Said differently, a drop from 7% down to 1% is a nearly 89% reduction. However, writing it as 89% instead of 6 is more dramatic. Now that you understand the statistics, let’s talk about the bad news.
Here’s a problem. In the randomized control trial, paxlovid was only given to unvaccinated individuals. That means, trial results are not applicable to vaccinated people who make up greater than 65% of Americans. The former situation is bad because said individuals will likely be prescribed this Covid treatment not tested or intended for them. Considering those facts, it is highly probable the drug would be substantially less effective at preventing hospitalization and death in vaccinated folks.
Next, the drug was tested during a period of Delta and the current variant is Omicron. All and all, reduced risk of hospitalization & death may no longer be conferred from the drug as paxlovid was intended for those infected with Delta or preceding variants. Be that as it may, paxlovid may be only 30%…20%…or 7% effective, but not 89% because of Omicron’s various viral mutation.
Finally, many who finish their course of paxlovid are experiencing rebound COVID symptoms. That coupled with reduced effectiveness against Omicron may make doctors hesitant to prescribe the drug or patients to take it.
As you can see, Paxlovid presents some major problems. So much so, it may no longer be an effective instrument in the COVID toolbox. From ineffectiveness, to rebound COVID symptoms, paxlovid may not be the pill for this ill.
REFERENCES:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2118542#figures_media
LETS CONNECT:
Another good report, thanks for all you do.
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