US working to make coronavirus treatment medicines more widely available as Covid cases fall

But White House's Covid response coordinator says more funding will be needed to supply pills beyond a few more months

President Joe Biden's administration is striving to expand availability of the life-saving coronavirus antiviral treatment Paxlovid, and it is simultaneously seeking to reassure doctors that there is ample supply for people at high risk of severe illness or death from the virus.

The Food and Drug Administration first approved Paxlovid, produced by Pfizer, for emergency use in December. Supply of the regimen was initially very limited, but as Covid-19 cases across the country have fallen and manufacturing has increased, it is now far more abundant. The White House is now moving to raise awareness of the pill and its availability, as well as making it easier to access.