US FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Merck's COVID-19 Oral Treatment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee has approved the emergency use of the oral COVID-19 treatment 'Molnupiravir' developed by the American pharmaceutical company Merck & Company (MSD).

The FDA Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee (ADAC) voted on the 30th (local time) and recommended approval of Molnupiravir with 13 votes in favor and 10 against.

This decision was made based on the judgment that the efficacy of the drug when taken outweighs the potential risks. However, its use during pregnancy is not recommended.

Considering that the FDA usually does not deviate from the advisory committee's decisions, Molnupiravir will become the first oral COVID-19 treatment to receive FDA approval.

Molnupiravir, which received the world's first approval for use in the UK on the 4th of last month, is in pill form that patients can take without medical assistance. It is also relatively easy to store and distribute.

The Washington Post, citing the latest research report submitted by Merck to the FDA on the 26th, reported that "Molnupiravir reduced hospitalization and mortality rates of severe patients by only 30%." Although this is 20 percentage points less than the initial clinical trial results, the medical community considers a 30% reduction to be a meaningful outcome.