U.S. to invest more than $3 billion in Covid-19 anti-viral pill, could arrive by year’s end

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is devoting more than $3 billion to advance development of antiviral pills for Covid-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics. The pills would be used to minimize symptoms after infection. They are in development and could begin arriving by year’s end, pending the completion of clinical trials. Top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci announced the plan Thursday at a White House briefing. Fauci says the new program would invest in “accelerating things that are already in progress” for Covid-19 but also would work to innovate new therapies for other dangerous viruses.