admin
Health Reporter
The United Kingdom has become the first country to approve Merck’s Covid-19 anti-viral pill for use in the treatment of the respiratory disease.
Last month, Merck announced preliminary results showing the anti-viral Lagevrio (molnupiravir) cut hospitalisations and deaths by half among patients with early Covid-19 symptoms. The results however, have not yet been peer reviewed or published in a scientific journal.
In a statement, the UK’s Medicines and Health Care products regulatory agency said the anti-viral Lagevrio (molnupiravir), could be used in people with mild to moderate Covid-19 who are at risk to develop severe illness.
The drug, developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), becomes the first oral antiviral for the treatment of Covid-19 to be approved.
Molnupiravir works by interfering with the virus’ replication thus preventing it from multiplying, keeping virus levels low in the body and therefore reducing the severity of the disease. The drug is also pending review by regulators in the US, the European Union and elsewhere.
“Today is a historic day for our country, as the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an anti-viral that can be taken at home for Covid-19. This will be a game changer for the most vulnerable and the immune-suppressed, who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment,” Britain’s Health and Social Care secretary Sajid Javid said.
The UK said the drug was not intended to be used as a substitute for vaccination against Covid-19.
Online Reporter