Pfizer To Allow Its COVID Pill To Be , Made and Sold for a Cheaper Price , in Poorer Countries.br On Nov. 16, Pfizer announced it had signed a licensing agreement with the U.N.-backed Medicines Patent Pool permitting more global access to its pill.br The agreement with the public health organization would , let generic manufacturers mass-produce the pill, in 95 low- and middle-income nations.br The company said this would help to provide the experimental COVID-19 pills to 53 of the global population.br But in order to work, Pfizer's pill, Paxlovid, , needs to be given in tandem with another antiviral drug, known as ritonavir. .br According to the pharmaceutical company, br an interim analysis of its clinical trial , showed an 89 efficacy rate in reducing coronavirus-induced hospitalization or death when given to participants within three days of exhibiting symptoms. .br According to the pharmaceutical company, br an interim analysis of its clinical trial , showed an 89 efficacy rate in reducing coronavirus-induced hospitalization or death when given to participants within three days of exhibiting symptoms. .br On Nov. 16, the drugmaker said it asked the FDA to authorize the pill for high-risk, unvaccinated individuals.br On Nov. 16, the drugmaker said it asked the FDA to authorize the pill for high-risk, unvaccinated individuals.br Merck submitted its own COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir, for emergency FDA approval in October.br It was approved for use in the U.K. on Nov. 4.