Ashley Ballou Bonnema examined constructive for COVID-19 on Easter weekend. As somebody with cystic fibrosis, she knew it could possibly be dangerous.
Her medical staff prescribed her Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral drugs, which may scale back the danger of turning into severely ailing. She took two drugs a day for 5 days and mentioned she seen a change immediately.
"Inside the first 24 hours, I actually felt a distinction," she instructed CBS Information' Nancy Cordes.
Presently, the medicine is just obtainable at about 20,000 websites across the nation, however on Tuesday the White Home introduced plans to permit hundreds of taking part pharmacies to immediately order extremely efficient COVID-19 therapies like Paxlovid.
CBS Information medical contributor Dr. David Agus explains that the drug prevents the virus from replicating within the physique.
"I've seen sufferers of mine who, once I put them on Paxlovid, actually a day later they really feel dramatically completely different," mentioned Agus.
Paxlovid was first licensed by the Meals and Drug Administration in December, to be used by these age 12 and up who've an elevated danger of growing extreme COVID. However that is nonetheless about 60% of the grownup inhabitants — together with anybody with weight problems, coronary heart illness or diabetes.
The White Home additionally plans to launch further "test-to-treat" websites, the place Individuals can get identified and obtain the drugs in a single go to.
"The notion they'll go to a pharmacy, check, and inside half-hour, begin a tablet to battle the virus, is absolutely highly effective. and I believe it is what is going on to get us out of the COVID-19 pandemic we're in now, and permit us to reside with the virus," Agus mentioned.
With the intention to work, antivirals like Paxlovid have to be taken beginning throughout the first 5 days of the sickness.
However the White Home is warning that their means to buy extra Paxlovid goes to be impacted if Congress does not approve their newest COVID funding request.