Merck Seeking Emergency Use Authorization for Pill to Treat Covid-19

Merck is seeking emergency authorization for a pill to treat Covid-19 which cuts the risk of death by half. If approved by the FDA, it would be the first oral medication that fights viral infection for Covid-19. Merck said “at the interim analysis, molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50%.” The drug is not a vaccine but an oral anti-viral and experts say developing it could be the next chance to thwart the Coronavirus.

A short term regimen of the pills would be used following positive diagnosis and prevent symptoms from getting more serious. Merck has been producing the doses while awaiting the results from the study and is expected to produce 10 million by the end of the year. Currently only one other antiviral drug has been approved to treat Covid, which is Remdesivir and is given by IV to sick patients in hospitals and is not used for widespread use.