Pfizer has agreed to a licensing deal with the UN's Medicines Patent Pool for its COVID-19 pill — roughly a month after Merck said it licensed its COVID pill with the MPP. Why it matters: These antiviral pills have showed promising results in reducing the severity of infection and preventing death among the unvaccinated, and Pfizer's licensing agreement, combined with Merck's, will allow generic drug companies to cheaply produce the pills for more than 100 low- and middle-income countries. Details: Pfizer's agreement will cover 95 countries, compared with Merck's agreement that covered 105. Yes, but: While the antivirals are considered to be a major tool to end the pandemic, the vaccines remain the most effective way to prevent serious illness and death from, and many low-income countries included in these licensing agreements still don't have easy access to vaccines.