US Microsoft founder, Co-Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, takes part in a conference call on October 9, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images) The Food and Drug Administration hasn't authorized the pill, and its outside experts are expected to meet on Nov.
30 to scrutinize the drug. If cleared by regulators, the drug will be the first pill available to treat COVID-19.Trevor Mundel, the president of the foundation’s global health program, believes the generic manufacturers won't ramp up their manufacturing unless they know there will be demand, and are likely to wait until next year to begin production."We want them not to wait," he said.