According to early data released by pharmaceutical firms Merck and Ridgeback, COVID-19 Pills taking a five-day course of a specific antiviral medication soon after a COVID-19 diagnosis can reduce the chance of being hospitalized or dying from the virus by half.
“This is the first oral antiviral that will be available to combat COVID-19 and why that’s so important, if you think of it if you’re someone who is unfortunate enough to get the news that you’ve contracted COVID-19, this is the pill, you can take it home and will significantly reduce the risk that you either ultimately are hospitalized or more importantly that you would ever face the unfortunate outcome of death,” Robert M. Davis, the chief executive officer and president of Merck told “Good Morning America” Friday.
Most COVID-19 patients are currently sent home with instructions to monitor their symptoms. Del Rio noted that having an effective medication to provide them would “make a difference.”
“This is an antiviral that is taken orally. As a result, it’s a pill. You accept it. It’s a five-day course of therapy in which you take a tablet that really inserts into the virus’s RNA and prevents it from operating, which is the magic of how this works and allows you to greatly minimize the danger of hospitalization or death “Davis stated his opinion.
Other pharmaceutical firms, including Pfizer and Roche, are developing antiviral medicines for COVID-19 patients that might be accessible shortly. Merck intends to apply for emergency approval in the United States “as soon as feasible” in order to begin widespread distribution of its antiviral tablet.
The business has begun manufacturing the tablets, with an aim of generating 10 million courses by the end of the year. The United States has already requested 1.7 million doses at a cost of more than $1 billion.
Dr. Todd Ellerin, head of infectious diseases at South Shore Health and an ABC News Med Unit contributor, said, “What we really need is the Tamiflu, if you will, for COVID-19.” “It’s conceivable that the agent is molnupiravir.”
People who tested positive for COVID-19 during the past five days were divided into two groups in an early review of 775 participants in a late-stage clinical study. The medication was given to the first group, while the placebo pill was given to the second.
“I believe this is interesting,” Ellerin added, “since an oral antiviral is desperately needed.” An oral antiviral that may be administered early in the course is critically needed.”