Poor global equity likely in COVID pill access

Between the lines: Pfizer and Merck, the companies developing the treatments, have licensed their formulas so generic companies can sell them at a much lower price. 

• But low-income countries may still struggle to pay the generic prices, and generic manufacturers still need several months to ramp up production. 
• For the pills to work, they need to be administered within days after a person develops symptoms. But many low-income countries also have inadequate testing systems, which will make it difficult to catch cases early enough.

The bottom line: The Omicron variant is probably about to drive a new wave of COVID cases around the world, but the most vulnerable parts of the world won't have access to these treatment options any time soon. 

• Yes, but: If Omicron causes less severe disease — which some scientists believe will be the case — that would make the scenario much less dire.