Pfizer Pill

[Thelmarina]

I received this news via the New York Times which, if true, will be helpful as we learn to live with this wretched disease.

A Covid pill developed by Pfizer cuts the risk of hospitalisation or death in vulnerable adults by 89 per cent, according to a clinical trial carried out by the US company.

Incidentally the expert at a Webinar I attended said that the three jabs we receive are to increase protection, especially if the third jab is a different vaccine from the previous ones. A booster may/may not be given to deal with different strains.

And on we go!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I guess you mean this, in our news a couple of days ago-

bbc.co.uk/news/health-59178291

[Thelmarina in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes - the BBC appears to have got in first! 😀Also thanks for the clarification about vaccines/boosters and what it’s all about. Honestly, could the messages have been more muddled? 😱

[piglette]

MSD (Merck, Sharp and Dohme) have just had their pill accepted in UK. It is an anti viral and will be given to ‘vulnerable’ people who catch Covid. It looks like Pfizer have now produced a pill too. UK have just under half a million on order from MSD at the moment.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Is that pills or courses I wonder?

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Courses I believe. From the dreaded Merck!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Aye, well, nuff said ...

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

😱😈😱😈

[Thelmarina in reply to piglette]

Why is Merck dreaded? I’ve missed that one!

[piglette in reply to Thelmarina]

They produce Alendronic Acid and push it as being perfect without mentioning any problems. They also are known as a pretty aggressive pharmaceutical company. In one case where they had lied about a patent a judge said “systematic and outrageous deception in conjunction with unethical business practices and litigation misconduct”.

[Thelmarina in reply to piglette]

Thanks! Love this Forum and its posters. I learn so much! 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Thelmarina]

Piglette and I have had a long history alongside the pharmaceutical world. Merck have a reputation

[Thelmarina in reply to PMRpro]

Love it! 😅

[pmr_nikola in reply to piglette]

Drug companies are like James Bond... but they lie too ... and your perception about the worst drug company is wrong... Pfizer is the worst IMO - "In 2009, Pfizer agreed to pay $2.3 billion in a criminal and civil liability lawsuit stemming from the illegal promotion of certain drugs. At the time, it was the largest healthcare fraud settlement in history."

[piglette in reply to pmr_nikola]

I never said Merck was the worst drug company. I have worked with the drug industry for over thirty years and know both companies well. I would actually go for Merck over Pfizer. I think virtually every single drug company is having some law suit or other most of the time. In the case you mention Pfizer got found out!!

[Thelmarina in reply to PMRpro]

Just wanted to thank you and Dorset Lady for the clarification about vaccines etc. My ‘expert’ said that the GPs hadn’t been informed about it all which accounted for the muddled communication. It’s all such fun! 🤪

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Thelmarina]

Strange how we found the information that they were sent but probably didn't bother to read

[Thelmarina in reply to PMRpro]

Yup!

[Viveka in reply to Thelmarina]

My GP practice manager apologised to me because they hadn't considered the letters they'd been sent about third primary. They no longer did vaccines so didn't think it applied. Multiply by hundreds of practices apparently. Though I do have sympathy for the pressure they are all under and usually my practice is very good.

[Thelmarina in reply to Viveka]

I do agree. They are all exhausted, adapting to new technology and the demands of both the NHS and patients. But by and large NHS admin is a muddle! 😅

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Thelmarina]

Nothing new there then!!! Too many people with clipboards - who have been promoted above their level of practical experience. The good ones want to be doing the work, not ticking boxes ...

[Thelmarina in reply to PMRpro]

Absolutely true. The tick boxes get in the way of the real work!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Thelmarina]

By the time you've ticked them - there is no time for the work!!!

[Rosbud in reply to PMRpro]

To many chiefs, not enough Indians x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosbud]

Too many want to be chiefs- pays more

[Rosbud in reply to PMRpro]

Definitely, shame they’re not worth the extra money x

[Thelmarina]

They actively get in the way. Mindfulness sessions (!) top of the menu!!