World's First Anti-Covid Pill Treatment Approved In UK, Cuts Death Risk By Half
United Kingdom became the first country in the world to approve a pill treatment for Covid-19. Called "molnupiravir", the drug is suggested to patients as soon as an individual tests positive for Covid-19, especially within five days after symptoms begin to appear.
This is the first ever pill that treats Covid-19. Other protection measures include vaccines and basic preventive measures like masks and hand-washing.
First-ever pill to treat Covid-19
Developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, the pill was recommended by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It appears that the United States will follow suit soon to approve molnupiravir, with regulatory bodies expected to meet this month.
The drug is a massive victory against Covid-19, for it halves the chances of death and hospitalisation among those suffering from Covid-19. If given at the right time, it can prevent severe Covid-19 among patients.
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It will be sold as "Lagevrio" in the UK, with the British government and National Health Service expected to announce a treatment course for the pill soon. In October, the UK government had signed a deal with Merck to secure 480,000 courses of molnupiravir.
In a statement, Merck announced plans to produce 10 million courses of the life-saving drug before the end of 2021, following with 20 million courses in 2022.
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