Pfizer agrees to let other companies make its Covid-19 pill

(Dan Kitwood/PA)

Pfizer has signed a deal with a UN-backed group to allow other manufacturers to make its experimental Covid-19 pill, which could make the treatment available to more than half of the world’s population.

In a statement, Pfizer said it will grant a licence for the antiviral pill to the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool, which would let generic drug companies produce the medication for use in 95 countries, making up about 53% of the world’s population.