Merck’s COVID-19 pill isn’t quite as effective as initially reported
2 min readThe Merck pharmaceutical company and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics have published updates to Molnupiravir, pills formulated to help treat Covid-19 by reducing the risk of a person being hospitalized or dying from disease. According to the latest details of the company, Molnupiravir was not as effective as previously found analysis.
Merck and Ridgeback published an update in the Molnupiravir move study on Friday, noting that it now has data from all participants enrolled in this study. Based on the data, companies said their oral antivirus drugs offered a relatively 30 percent risk reduction in Covid-19 patients, the decline was stated earlier 48 percent.
Likewise, the renewal revealed Molnupiravir cut the risk of hospitalization and death between Covid-19 participants to 6.8 percent compared to 9.7 percent in the placebo group. These figures compared to 7.3 percent and 14.1 percent were reported with a temporary analysis.
This update is a disappointing news that arrived right in front of the planned review of the planned FDA Advisory Committee, its effectiveness, and safety profile. Assuming the committee supports drugs, then it will reach the FDA to decide whether to provide authorization of emergency use (EUA) for the treatment of oral antivirus.
The FDA advisory panel will meet tomorrow, November 30, to determine whether they will provide their recommendations for EUA. Like the Covid-19 vaccine, booster shots, and other products provide emergency authorization throughout the pandemic, experts will see if there is a risk known to be related to the drug it will be greater than the potential benefits, product security, and how effectively reduce the results of covid- 19 Severe.
Pharmaceutical companies have submitted a request with the FDA for emergency authorization in October. Molnupiravir is intended for adults who have Covid-19 light or moderate and are determined to be at high risk of severe results. Care, should he accept emergency authorization, will be the first oral care option for Covid-19, joining monoclonal antibodies, which are also used in high-risk patients.
Despite the revised effectiveness, experts still anticipate the FDA will eventually authorize Merck drugs as other tools to treat Covid-19 cases (through NBC). A bigger question is who will be borne by EUA, assuming there is a given. This drug is intended for those who are at high risk for hospitalization and death from Covid-19, but the possibility of authorization can limit further which is able to receive oral antivirus treatment, depending on the safety data.