When will we get new COVID-19 drugs?

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COVID-19 antiviral drugs promise speedier recoveries. But they're not available in the U.S. By Jamie Ducharme Health Correspondent The antiviral Paxlovid works best in people who are susceptible to getting very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults and those with serious underlying health conditions. Paxlovid is only approved for people in these categories, and it can be lifesaving. While saving lives is of course the highest priority for a COVID-19 drug, it’s always struck me that there’s an unmet need in the medical system. Lots of people who are unlikely to get seriously ill or die when they catch COVID-19 nonetheless feel miserable for a few days and could benefit from treatment. In the U.S., there aren’t any drugs specifically meant for this population—but that’s not the case in other countries. Antivirals currently used in Japan and China seem to work well for people of all risk levels, shortening the length and severity of COVID-19 cases even among healthier patients. That’s good both for patients and public health, since people who are infectious for shorter amounts of time are likely to sicken fewer people. But at least in the U.S., we may not get access to these drugs any time soon, I learned. READ MORE Share This Story

WHAT ELSE TO READ Abortion Restrictions Hurt Women’s Mental Health By Haley Weiss Women in states where abortion trigger bans were enacted in 2022 had more anxiety and depression symptoms. Read More » How Psychology Has Changed Our Minds By Paul Bloom From the minds of babies to the limits of consciousness, psychology has dramatically shaped how we think about the world. Read More » Stanley Responds to Concern Its Viral Cups Contain Lead By Anna Gordon Stanley cups are a viral sensation and have become a must-have staple amongst social media influencers. Read More » Undoing the Stigma of Unemployment By Ofer Sharone Ofer Sharone explains the reason why American workers are always anxious. Read More » Weight Bias Is a Problem in Health Care. Here’s What Doctors Can Do By Elizabeth Millard Smart ways to address potential bias. Read More »

ONE LAST READ How to get unstuck Feeling stuck in a rut is a universal experience, but as the New York Times reports, a variety of strategies can turn things around. Do a "friction audit," reflecting on unhelpful patterns you tend to repeat; reframe negative thoughts; and try "futurecasting," or visualizing a life where you're unstuck. Read More »

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