If there is a reason why certain illnesses aren’t as alarming as it was once is because of how far along medical technology has gotten, where a cure for a disease or illness comes in the form of a pill that can be easily purchased at pharmacies. The good news is that it is possible that in the near future, COVID-19 treatments could come in a similar form as well.
This is thanks to the work of Pfizer who are developing a pill that is designed to treat COVID-19. Right now, there is no known cure for the virus, except to treat the symptoms as they come. However, this pill if successfully tested, could make it a lot easier. This drug is part of a class of medicine known as protease inhibitors, the same type of medication used to treat other viral infections such as HIV or hepatitis C.
It works by inhibiting an enzyme in the COVID-19 virus that is needed for the virus to replicate itself in human cells. This medication is aimed at those who might have just gotten infected and could prevent the disease from progressing and no longer requiring these patients to make trips to the hospital, which could undue strain on a country’s healthcare system.
According to Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla, the drug is currently in clinical trial which kicked off in March, and there are hopes that if all goes well and it gains FDA approval, it could be distributed across the US by the end of the year.
Filed in . Read more about Coronavirus, Covid-19, Health, Science and Social Hit. Source: cnbc