Pfizer has said it is seeking full US approval for its oral Covid-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid, which is currently available under an emergency use authorisation.
The company said it submitted a New Drug Application for Paxlovid to the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Covid-19 in vaccinated and unvaccinated people at high risk of progression to severe illness.
That is basically consistent with the drug's current EUA, which Pfizer said covers 50% to 60% of the US population, citing estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A full approval could mean the company would have the option to sell Paxlovid on the open market like other drugs, depending on whether or not the US government decides to stop buying the drug and providing it for free nationwide.