The Merck treatment, known as molnupiravir, has been shown to modestly reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death from COVID. In the coming weeks, the FDA may also authorise a similar pill from Pfizer that appears to be significantly more effective than Merck’s. “We expect based on what we know about the omicron variant that molnupiravir would be effective,” he said. Merck’s treatment is supposed to be given within five days of the start of symptoms and is taken as 40 pills over five days. The Biden administration has ordered enough courses of Merck’s treatment, at about $700 per person, for 3.1 million people.

Source: bd News24 December 01, 2021 06:35 UTC