Paxlovid, Pfizer's Covid-19 pill, seen here being manufactured in Ascoli, Italy. Pfizer via Reuters
Paxlovid, Pfizer's Covid-19 pill, seen here being manufactured in Ascoli, Italy. Pfizer via Reuters
Paxlovid, Pfizer's Covid-19 pill, seen here being manufactured in Ascoli, Italy. Pfizer via Reuters
Paxlovid, Pfizer's Covid-19 pill, seen here being manufactured in Ascoli, Italy. Pfizer via Reuters

World

US

US authorises first at-home Covid-19 pill treatment

Data shows the regimen is 90% effective in stopping hospital admission and deaths among people at high risk

Reuters

December 22, 2021

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Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron

Pfizer said on Wednesday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised its antiviral Covid-19 pill, making it the first at-home treatment for the coronavirus that is expected to become an important tool in the fight against the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

Data from Pfizer's clinical trial showed its antiviral regimen was 90 per cent effective in preventing hospital admission and death in patients at high risk of severe illness. Recent lab data suggests the drug retains its effectiveness against Omicron.

The agency said it authorised the oral drug for emergency use for the treatment of mild-to-moderate disease in adults and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older, weighing at least 40 kilograms, who are at high risk for progression to severe Covid-19.

Read more

Biden pledges tests, federal aid and vaccines amid Omicron winter surge

More deaths and vaccine hesitancy: the US fight against Covid in 2021

“This authorisation provides a new tool to combat Covid-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The drug is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of Covid-19 and within five days of symptom onset, the agency said.

The company said it was ready to start immediate delivery in the US and raised its production projections to 120 million courses of treatment from 80 million in 2022.

The US government's contract for 10 million courses of the Pfizer drug is priced at $530 per course.

A man wearing a protective face shield and two mask waits be vaccinated in Quito, Ecuador. Elderly people waited hours to be inoculated. AP Photo
A man wearing a protective face shield and two mask waits be vaccinated in Quito, Ecuador. Elderly people waited hours to be inoculated. AP Photo
An aerial view of cars queuing at a drive-in Covid-19 testing site in the car park of Hiram Bithorn baseball stadium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Reuters
An aerial view of cars queuing at a drive-in Covid-19 testing site in the car park of Hiram Bithorn baseball stadium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Reuters
A shopper wearing a mask is reflected in a window as she walks down Oxford Street in London. Daily numbers of Covid-19 cases have passed 100,000 for the first time in the UK. AP Photo
A shopper wearing a mask is reflected in a window as she walks down Oxford Street in London. Daily numbers of Covid-19 cases have passed 100,000 for the first time in the UK. AP Photo
A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, in the Israeli town of Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. Israelis over the age of 60 and medical teams are being offered a fourth Covid shot.
A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, in the Israeli town of Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. Israelis over the age of 60 and medical teams are being offered a fourth Covid shot.
An official hands out Covid-19 testing kits in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in New York. The resumption of holiday travel and the emergence of Omicron has left Americans scrambling to find Covid tests. AFP
An official hands out Covid-19 testing kits in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in New York. The resumption of holiday travel and the emergence of Omicron has left Americans scrambling to find Covid tests. AFP
Amelie and Ludo Khayat hold each other during a visit at the Covid-19 unit of Marseille University Hospital Timone, in Marseille, southern France. Ludo, 41, is recovering after spending 24 days in a coma. AP Photo
Amelie and Ludo Khayat hold each other during a visit at the Covid-19 unit of Marseille University Hospital Timone, in Marseille, southern France. Ludo, 41, is recovering after spending 24 days in a coma. AP Photo
Christmas shoppers brave the rain in Sydney's central business district. Covid-19 cases are rising in the Australian city and elsewhere in New South Wales, where health authorities have reported cases of the Omicron variant. Getty
Christmas shoppers brave the rain in Sydney's central business district. Covid-19 cases are rising in the Australian city and elsewhere in New South Wales, where health authorities have reported cases of the Omicron variant. Getty
Travellers and vehicles crowd the departures and arrivals areas outside Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport during the holiday season. Reuters
Travellers and vehicles crowd the departures and arrivals areas outside Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport during the holiday season. Reuters
Medical workers prepare to conduct Covid-19 tests at a pop-up screening clinic in front of Seoul Station in South Korea. New coronavirus cases in the country have fallen to 7,000, but critical cases and deaths have surged to record highs of 1,083 and 109, respectively. EPA
Medical workers prepare to conduct Covid-19 tests at a pop-up screening clinic in front of Seoul Station in South Korea. New coronavirus cases in the country have fallen to 7,000, but critical cases and deaths have surged to record highs of 1,083 and 109, respectively. EPA
Car queue at a drive-through testing centre at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia. New South Wales has broken another daily record for Covid-19 case numbers as Omicron takes hold, with hospital admissions almost doubling in a week. EPA
Car queue at a drive-through testing centre at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia. New South Wales has broken another daily record for Covid-19 case numbers as Omicron takes hold, with hospital admissions almost doubling in a week. EPA
A queue for Covid screening in Manhattan. Test provider CityMD closed 13 branches in New York temporarily because of staff shortages as demand surged. AFP
A queue for Covid screening in Manhattan. Test provider CityMD closed 13 branches in New York temporarily because of staff shortages as demand surged. AFP
Travellers queue outside the security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, US, as the Omicron variant spurs a rise in case numbers in many countries. Reuters
Travellers queue outside the security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, US, as the Omicron variant spurs a rise in case numbers in many countries. Reuters
Cars line up at a drive-through Covid-19 testing site at Tropical Park in Miami, Florida. As Covid-19 cases rise in the US, healthcare workers are urging people to take precautions during holiday get-togethers. AFP
Cars line up at a drive-through Covid-19 testing site at Tropical Park in Miami, Florida. As Covid-19 cases rise in the US, healthcare workers are urging people to take precautions during holiday get-togethers. AFP
People wait in the check-in queue for Air France/KLM at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. EPA
People wait in the check-in queue for Air France/KLM at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. EPA
Christmas shoppers pictured out and about in Nottingham, England. The UK government has not imposed further restrictions in England to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. PA
Christmas shoppers pictured out and about in Nottingham, England. The UK government has not imposed further restrictions in England to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. PA
Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the ‘flying padre’, puts on a face mask as he prepares to speak to pupils about Christmas at a school in Broken Hill, Australia. Since 2003, he has flown to some of Australia’s most isolated communities to preach. Reuters
Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the ‘flying padre’, puts on a face mask as he prepares to speak to pupils about Christmas at a school in Broken Hill, Australia. Since 2003, he has flown to some of Australia’s most isolated communities to preach. Reuters
Medical workers treat a patient with Covid-19 in intensive care during the fifth wave of the pandemic in Neuchatel, Switzerland. EPA
Medical workers treat a patient with Covid-19 in intensive care during the fifth wave of the pandemic in Neuchatel, Switzerland. EPA
A protester wears a latex mask with syringes attached to it during a rally in front of the government headquarters in Bucharest, Romania. Marchers object to a Covid-19 ‘green certificate’ in workplaces to limit infections. AP
A protester wears a latex mask with syringes attached to it during a rally in front of the government headquarters in Bucharest, Romania. Marchers object to a Covid-19 ‘green certificate’ in workplaces to limit infections. AP
Dr Sydney Sewall fills a syringe with a Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic in Augusta, Maine, US. AP
Dr Sydney Sewall fills a syringe with a Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic in Augusta, Maine, US. AP
A coronavirus test centre employee waits for clients on the shop-lined Kurfuerstendamm street in Berlin. Germany has announced new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the Omicron variant. AP
A coronavirus test centre employee waits for clients on the shop-lined Kurfuerstendamm street in Berlin. Germany has announced new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the Omicron variant. AP
A drive-through testing centre in Bellingham, Washington. The US state, which was hit hard early in the pandemic, has reported at least 400 cases of Omicron. AP
A drive-through testing centre in Bellingham, Washington. The US state, which was hit hard early in the pandemic, has reported at least 400 cases of Omicron. AP
New Yorkers check their Covid-19 results outside a rapid testing centre in Manhattan. AP
New Yorkers check their Covid-19 results outside a rapid testing centre in Manhattan. AP
People line up to be tested for Covid-19 in Washington, DC. Omicron variant is now the main coronavirus variant in the US. AFP
People line up to be tested for Covid-19 in Washington, DC. Omicron variant is now the main coronavirus variant in the US. AFP
Holiday travellers transit through Dulles International Airport in Virginia. United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby has said the coming two weeks are expected to be its busiest since the pandemic began, despite Omicron. AFP
Holiday travellers transit through Dulles International Airport in Virginia. United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby has said the coming two weeks are expected to be its busiest since the pandemic began, despite Omicron. AFP
Early closing for Oliver St John Gogarty, a pub in Temple Bar, Dublin. Under Irish coronavirus rules, which will last until January 30, hospitality venues must shut by 8pm. Getty
Early closing for Oliver St John Gogarty, a pub in Temple Bar, Dublin. Under Irish coronavirus rules, which will last until January 30, hospitality venues must shut by 8pm. Getty
People enjoy refreshments at a Christmas market in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. The UK government has faced pressure to tighten coronavirus restrictions. AFP
People enjoy refreshments at a Christmas market in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester. The UK government has faced pressure to tighten coronavirus restrictions. AFP
A Ferris wheel in the historic centre of Antwerp, Belgium. The government will meet to decide whether new Covid-19 measures will be taken. AP
A Ferris wheel in the historic centre of Antwerp, Belgium. The government will meet to decide whether new Covid-19 measures will be taken. AP
A child watches a Covid-19 test being administered in Washington, DC. EPA
A child watches a Covid-19 test being administered in Washington, DC. EPA
A poster featuring Father Christmas and Wee Jimmy Krankie, a popular character from children’s TV, on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. The Scottish government is considering whether to tighten Covid restrictions. PA
A poster featuring Father Christmas and Wee Jimmy Krankie, a popular character from children’s TV, on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. The Scottish government is considering whether to tighten Covid restrictions. PA
A man receives his Covid-19 vaccine inside a National Health Service bus in the town of Farnworth, near Manchester in north-west England. AFP
A man receives his Covid-19 vaccine inside a National Health Service bus in the town of Farnworth, near Manchester in north-west England. AFP
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the start of trading on Monday after Friday’s steep decline in global stocks amid fears about the Omicron variant. Stocks fell sharply in morning trading, with the Dow falling more than 500 points. Getty
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the start of trading on Monday after Friday’s steep decline in global stocks amid fears about the Omicron variant. Stocks fell sharply in morning trading, with the Dow falling more than 500 points. Getty
People arrive to receive a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine at an inoculation centre in Kuwait City. EPA
People arrive to receive a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine at an inoculation centre in Kuwait City. EPA
People crowd together without social distancing at a railway station in Bangalore, India. EPA
People crowd together without social distancing at a railway station in Bangalore, India. EPA
Women wear masks in Tehran. The Iranian Health Ministry said it had found a case of the Omicron variant in the country. EPA
Women wear masks in Tehran. The Iranian Health Ministry said it had found a case of the Omicron variant in the country. EPA
People wait to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Bangkok, Thailand. Bloomberg
People wait to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Bangkok, Thailand. Bloomberg
Churchgoers wearing masks observe social distancing as they attend a pre-dawn Mass at a church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty
Churchgoers wearing masks observe social distancing as they attend a pre-dawn Mass at a church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty
An intubated Covid-19 patient receives treatment in the intensive care unit of Westerstede Clinical Centre in north-west Germany. AP
An intubated Covid-19 patient receives treatment in the intensive care unit of Westerstede Clinical Centre in north-west Germany. AP

The Pfizer pills, taken with the older antiviral drug ritonavir, will be sold under the brand name Paxlovid.

The pills are meant to be taken every 12 hours for five days beginning shortly after the onset of symptoms.

Ritonavir is known to have interactions with some other prescription medicines. Pfizer has said that should be manageable and suggested most patients would be able to lower the doses of their other medications while being treated for Covid-19.

Pfizer said it plans to file a new drug application with the FDA in 2022 for potential full regulatory approval.

A rival pill from Merck, which is under review by the FDA, has shown lower efficacy compared with Pfizer's treatment. Merck's drug, molnupiravir, reduced hospital admissions and deaths in its clinical trial of high-risk patients by about 30 per cent.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated

Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona

How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
  • The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
  • The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
  • The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
  • The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
  • The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL

Al Nasr 2

(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)

Shabab Al Ahli 1

(Jaber 13)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Transgender report
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

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Brief scores:

Barcelona 3

Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'

Rayo Vallecano 1

De Tomas Gomez 24'

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Results

5pm: Al Falah – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bshara, Richard Mullen (jockey), Salem Al Ketbi (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Al Dhafra – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Mualami, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

6.30pm: Al Khaleej Al Arabi – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hawafez, Adrie de Vries, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Mafraq – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi

7.30pm: Al Samha – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Patrick Cosgrave, Ismail Mohammed

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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On Women's Day
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP%204
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War and the virus
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Tomorrow 2021
Plastic tipping point
While you're here
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Updated: December 22, 2021, 6:57 PM`
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