(WENY) - Pfizer and Merck have conducted studies in developing an antiviral COVID-19 pill. The pill plans to be used in treating mild to severe COVID-19 symptoms. 

Merck’s pill is set to be reviewed by the FDA later this month. The company reported that its drug, molnupiravir, cut hospitalization and death rates by 50%. 

Pfizer also released test data for their trial pill Friday morning. Their study including 775 patients shows participants who took the drug had an 89% reduction in hospitalizations or death after a month when paired with another antiviral.  

Dr. Justin Nistico, D.O. is one of the leading infectious disease physicians at Arnot Health. He has high hopes this treatment will help locals suffering from symptoms. 

“I think what the pill is going to do really well,” Nistico said. “It's designed to be a viral suppressant so it's going to stop replication of the virus.” 

Dr. Nistico remains hopeful the pill will be effective but feels more research should be done before getting the FDA’s approval. 

“There needs to be further testing, also further studies... to say this is safe and effective,” Nistico said. “We obviously want to know more about the safety profile as well as... its effectiveness overall.” 

The pill is designed to treat COVID itself rather than prevent someone from contracting the virus. Nistico suggests how vaccination and treatment will bring severe cases down. 

“We really need two things to happen and that's... vaccination... and point of care treatment,” Nistico said. “If we do both things successfully, safely, and effectively, we're going to see the fight against COVID-19 is going to be in our favor.” 

This pill would be the first form of antiviral COVID treatment not given out via IV or injection at hospitals or clinics.