Britain has approved the use of Merck′s anti-COVID-19 pill for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate disease, stated the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Health minister Sajid Javid called it a historic day, as UK became the first country in the world to approve an antiviral drug that can be taken at home for the treatment of COVID-19.

He said, "This will be a game-changer for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed, who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment." The antiviral drug –molnupiravir -decreases the ability of the virus to replicate. The MHRA stated that in clinical trials, the drug was found to be safe and effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, who have an increased risk of progression to severe disease.

The drug is most effective when taken during the early stages of the infection and the agency recommended that it should be given within five days of symptom onset.

The drug has been authorized for use in people with at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, old age, diabetes and heart disease. 

Drug regulators in the United States and the European Union havealso started an evaluation of the drug.

Source: ET Healthworld