The green light for molnupiravir is the first for an oral antiviral treatment and is considered a potential game-changer in fighting the pandemic
04 November 2021 - 20:45An experimental COVID-19 treatment pill, called molnupiravir being developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics is seen in this undated handout photo. Picture: REUTERS/
The green light is the first for an oral antiviral treatment for Covid-19 and the first for a Covid-19 drug that will be administered widely in the community. U.S. advisers will meet this month to vote on whether molnupiravir should be authorized. Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director for the National Health Service in England, said the drug would be administered to patients at higher risk of complications as Britain heads into one of the most challenging winters ever.
Data released on Wednesday night showed Covid-19 prevalence in the UK hit its highest level on record in October, led by a high numbers of cases in children and a surge in the southwest of the country. "With no compromises on quality, safety and effectiveness, the public can trust that the MHRA has conducted a robust and thorough assessment of the data ," MHRA chief June Raine said in a statement.Prof Penny Ward, an independent pharmaceutical doctor, welcomed the approval, but said the NHS needed to outline its plans for rollout and cautioned that supplies were likely to be tight given the strong global demand.
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