WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to advance development of antiviral pills for COVID-19, officials said Thursday.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation鈥檚 top infectious disease expert, announced the investment during a White House briefing as part of a new 鈥渁ntiviral program for pandemics鈥� to develop drugs to address symptoms caused by potentially dangerous viruses like the coronavirus.
The pills, which would be used to minimize symptoms after infection, are in development and could begin arriving by year鈥檚 end, pending the completion of clinical trials.
Fauci said the new program would invest in 鈥渁ccelerating things that are already in progress鈥� for COVID-19, but also work to innovate new therapies for other viruses.
鈥淭here are few treatments that exist for many of the viruses that have pandemic potential," said Fauci.
But he added, 鈥渧accines clearly remain the centerpiece of our arsenal.鈥�
News of the administration's plans for the pill was first reported Thursday by The New York Times.
Zeke Miller, The Associated Press
