Pfizer's Antiviral COVID-19 Pill , Authorized by FDA.br NPR reports the Food and Drug Administration has officially authorized the first COVID-19 antiviral pill.br The pill, Paxlovid, was created by br pharmaceutical company Pfizer.br Experts say Pfizer's pill could keep those infected with COVID-19 from becoming br ill enough to require hospitalization. .br Experts say Pfizer's pill could keep those infected with COVID-19 from becoming br ill enough to require hospitalization. .br According to NPR, the pill is meant to bebr ingested twice a day for five days.br Paxlovid will reportedly require a tandem dose br of generic antiviral medicine ritonavir.br Today's authorization introduces br the first treatment for COVID-19 br that is in the form of a pill — br a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. , Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA Center for br Drug Evaluation and Research, via NPR.br Today's authorization introduces br the first treatment for COVID-19 br that is in the form of a pill — br a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. , Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA Center for br Drug Evaluation and Research, via NPR.br Pfizer's studies suggest taking Paxlovid within three days of exhibiting symptoms could reduce the risk of death and hospitalization by 89.br Pfizer's studies suggest taking Paxlovid within three days of exhibiting symptoms could reduce the risk of death and hospitalization by 89.br NPR reports separate studies showed the pill br only reduced 70 of hospitalizations.br Experts say the effectiveness of Paxlovid shouldn't diminish when treating Omicron-related infections.br The United States will reportedly purchase 10 million courses of Pfizer's new COVID-19 treatment.