The UK Becomes First Country to Approve Merck's Covid-19 Antiviral Drug

UK becomes first country to approve Merck's Covid-19 antiviral drug ANKARA (AA) - Conditional approval has been granted in the United Kingdom for the use of an antiviral medicine produced by Merck for the treatment of coronavirus disease (Covid-19). The UK has thus become the first country in the world to approve an antiviral drug developed against Covid-19. Authorities announced that citizens would have access to the medicine called Molnupiravir during winter months through a national study. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Today is a historic day for our country, because the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an antiviral for Covid-19 that can be taken at home." In a statement referring to the UK National Health Service (NHS), Javid said: "We are working with the NHS to establish a plan to distribute Molnupiravir to patients through a national study as quickly as possible." Doctors note that the treatment will be particularly important for people who do not respond well to vaccines. Under conditional approval, the drug, which has been licensed for use by adults aged 18 and over in the risk group with a positive Covid-19 test, must be taken at a dose of twice daily for 5 days by people who experience mild to moderate disease at home. The drug, which reduces symptoms and accelerates recovery, is expected to ease the case load in hospitals and help contain the pandemic in poorer countries with weaker health systems. The US Food and Drug Administration also announced in late November that it would convene a panel of independent experts to review the safety and efficacy of the drug.