Pfizer Inc. has signed an agreement with UNICEF to supply up to 4 million treatment courses of its COVID-19 oral treatment, Paxlovid, to 95 low- and middle-income countries, pending authorization or approval.
This includes all low- and lower-middle-income countries and some upper-middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as countries that have transitioned from lower-middle to upper-middle-income status in the last five years, accounting for approximately 53 percent of the world’s population.
Pfizer expects supply to be available to support orders this month, and will continue throughout 2022, pending regulatory authorization or approval and according to country needs.
All low- and lower-middle-income countries will be offered the treatment courses at the not-for-profit price while upper-middle-income countries will pay the price defined in Pfizer’s tiered pricing approach.
“We have seen the negative impacts of COVID-19 in every part of the world and know that we must work towards access for all people regardless of where they live or their circumstances,” said Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“Supplying to UNICEF is an important part of our comprehensive strategy to accelerate access to Paxlovid to treat COVID-19 infection as quickly as possible and at an affordable price in order to decrease the strain on healthcare systems and help save lives in low- and middle-income countries,” Bourla added.
Pfizer has raised its production projections for Paxlovid, with the ability to produce up to 120 million courses of treatment by the end of 2022, pending global demand.
The company has initiated bilateral outreach to more than 100 countries around the world and has entered into agreements with multiple countries.
