Merck and Co has applied for emergency use authorization in the United States over its drug to be used for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.
Should they be granted authorization, the pill will be the first oral antiviral medication for the disease that has triggered a global pandemic.
An approval from the US Food and Drug Administration would also mean change for clinical management of COVID-19. The drug can be taken at home.
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Molnupiravir, can cut hospitalization and death by up to 50% according to a Reuters report.
The interim efficacy data on the drug, developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, now pushed nations like Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore to sign a supply deal with Merck.
Merch is expected to produce 10 million courses before the end of 2021.
It also has granted licenses to several Indian manufacturers to cater to middle-income countries. (TDT)
