Consortium Launching Catalytic COVID-19 “Test-and-Treat” Demonstrations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Welcomes Pfizer Participation

On May 12, 2022, the COVID Global Accountability Platform (COVID GAP), a joint initiative of COVID Collaborative and Duke University, along with the Open Society Foundations and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), announced the launch of a consortium that aims to catalyze and support innovative programs in low- and middle-income countries to increase access to quality-assured oral anti-viral treatments for COVID-19.

This initiative will help jump-start multi-sector efforts that complement other test-and-treat initiatives and commitments announced at the recent Second Global COVID-19 Summit.

The consortium looks forward to welcoming participation by Pfizer, Inc., subject to signing of a definitive agreement, to provide additional support to further accelerate the scope and scale of test-and-treat demonstrations. Pfizer plans to provide courses of its oral COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid, as well as funding and other resources to support the test-and-treat demonstrations. Access to COVID-19 treatments can be a viable, long-term addition to vaccinations as a means of containing the pandemic.

Since its launch, the initiative has generated strong interest and additional collaborations. Consortium members continue to invite additional partners to provide funding, implementation support, therapeutics and diagnostics products, and other capabilities to accelerate this effort.