Application for approval of COVID pills sent to the FDA

The American pharmaceutical company Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics filed an application for approval of a COVID-19 drug with the Federal Food Control Administration (FDA) on Monday.

Ten days ago, it was announced that the third clinical trial of the drug molnupiravir was successfully conducted, which reduced the risk of hospitalization and death of people in the high-risk group by 50 percent. Unlike the drug remdisivir, administered intravenously, molnupiravir is taken in the form of tablets. Their use is recommended within the first five days after the onset of symptoms of infection. The course of treatment takes five days. Despite its lower efficacy in comparison with remdisivir, due to the ease of use, it can turn into the first widely available drug for COVID-19. During the trials, the drug did not cause any noticeable side effects.

It is expected that the decision on approval of molnupiravir will be made by the FDA before the end of the year. Merck has already started production of this drug. She has signed licensing agreements with several companies that will supply this medicine to low-income countries.

American experts say that this medicine may prove to be an effective means of combating the pandemic, but they warn against the temptation to refuse vaccination, since vaccination remains the only way to prevent infection with the coronavirus.