UK gives approval of the first antiviral pill to treat Covid19

The UK gives approval of the first antiviral pill to treat Covid19, becoming the first-ever country to do so.

• Molnupiravir is developed by the US drug companies Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD), and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
• It is the first oral antiviral medication for Covid which can be taken as a pill rather than injected or given intravenously.

Britain’s health authorities on Thursday announced the approval of the first antiviral pill to treat Covid-19.

Health secretary Sajid Javid in a statement he said: “Today is a historic day for our country, as the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an antiviral that can be taken at home for Covid.”

He added that the treatment was a “gamechanger” for the frailest and immunosuppressed.

Authorities disclosed that Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is safe and effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death in people with mild to moderate infection who are at increased risk of developing severe disease.

Developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Lagevrio works by interfering with the virus’ replication. This prevents it from multiplying, keeping virus levels low in the body and therefore reducing the severity of the disease, health officials said.