Countries rush to purchase experimental antiviral COVID-19 pills

File pic shows Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine vials

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday authorized Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill, making it the first at-home treatment that is expected to become an important tool in the fight against the Omicron variant.

A panel of expert advisers to the FDA has also recommended the agency authorize Merck & Co's experimental antiviral pill molnupiravir, which has already received regulatory approvals in Britain, Denmark and Philippines among others.