Dr. Jerome Adams on approval of Pfizer pill, search for COVID test

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — WISH-TV medical expert and former U.S. surgeon general Dr. Jerome Adams provided an update Wednesday on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill and it’s the first U.S.-authorized at home treatment for the virus. The prescription pill is also the first medication in the country that does not require injection or the IV process. Pfizer says initial supplies of the pill will be extremely limited with enough only to treat tens of thousands of people. The pill is approved for people 12 and older. Patients will need a positive COVID-19 test to get a prescription.

How significant is this, and what does this mean for the current surge in patients?

Adams said, “Well it’s good news that we’re now getting more treatments available for people, particularly as we’re seeing this surge coming on us. But, I want to put it in practical terms for you. The fact is that you can’t get the pill if you can’t get a test, and right now we can’t get a test.”

“And so the truth is we’re probably going to be beyond this omicron surge by the time we actually get enough (at-home COVID) tests and enough pills for this to have a meaningful difference for us. That’s good news that we have something.”

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced more COVID tests are coming.

Adams said, “Well, again, good news that the administration is finally looking at this as a priority. I and other people across the nation have been saying this for months. They announced 500 million (at-home COVID)tests, a half a billion tests, that would be made available. But, they won’t be made available until January.”

The former surgeon general added that 500 million “sounds like a lot. That’s less than two tests per American citizen.

“And you’re supposed to take a test one day and a test next day for the rapid test to actually give you really reliable results. So, it’s not as much as we need, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Many people are struggling to find a place to get a test, either at a clinic or from a retailer selling at-home tests.

Adams advised people to go to the Indiana State Department of Health website and look up the nearest site for testing.

“Look up the nearest site to you and, in some cases, I know people have had to drive 40 minutes away to get a test that day, but there are still some testing sites, you can go to,” Adams said.

“If you can’t get a test, you need to act as if you’ve had COVID in the meantime. That means isolate yourself. That means wear a mask if you’re at all concerned about an exposure when you’re going around other people, act as if you have COVID, particularly if you’re going around other people who are at risk.”

The doctor also talked Wednesday about how the coronavirus and its spread is affecting professional sports, and the U.S. Navy helping IU Health Methodist Hospital.