An influential consumer advocacy group is pressing Pfizer Inc to supply more of its new Covid-19 pill Paxlovid to developing countries this year, concerned that access to the treatment will mirror inequalities in vaccines.

Public Citizen sent a letter to Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla, asking the drugmaker to set aside at least two-thirds of its supply this year for developing countries at a reasonable price.

Peter Maybarduk, director of Public Citizen's Access to Medicines programme, said the letter was the opening salvo of what he expects will be a year-long campaign by the group.