MANILA: The Philippines has approved the emergency use of Paxlovid, Pfizer’s COVID-19 drug, the country’s food and drug agency said on Friday.

It is the third COVID-19 drug approved by the agency for emergency use, after Roche’s antibody cocktail and Merck & Co Inc’s treatment pill.

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Paxlovid can be used to treat adult patients who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk for severe infection, the agency said.