In clinical trials the drug has been shown to reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by almost half - What other companies are preparing similar pills and how far have the tests gone?
The moment one country after another is abandoned in the vortex of the fourth wave of the pandemic, with cases to be launched, the same hospitalizations and deaths to remain at a high level, from United Kingdom it's windy wind of optimism. As expected, the news has been prevalent since yesterday that England became the first country to approve the use of a drug by the American pharmaceutical company Merck against the new coronavirus. The Medicines Regulatory Authority of England (MHRA) gave the green light in record time, "Catching in sleep" United States and EU. This drug is in the process of being accelerated by US regulatory authorities (FDA) and Europe (EMA). Four other companies are preparing similar pills, but are still in the first or second phase of clinical trials, while Pfizer and Merck are in the third phase, testing about 3.000 people each.
It is the Britain's second first, after the approval of the vaccine several months earlier. He hurried to capitalize on the lifting of the restraining measures, just to signal a red alert. Either way, this is one in particular significant development in the fight against the pandemic, which may even change course. It's supposed to save the lives of those who get sick. In clinical trials, the pill has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by almost half. UK Health Minister Sajid Javid said the treatment "Changes the terms of the game" for the most vulnerable citizens and the immunosuppressed. He spoke of a "historic day". It remains to be seen whether and to what extent the use of molnupiravir, which may potentially prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from patients to healthy individuals. In the event that this is the case, we will be dealing with a step that brings us closer to normalcy.
After Britain, it is likely that other countries will follow. According to the Washington Post, Merck President Robert M. Davis said: "We will continue to act with caution as well as urgency to make molnupiravir available to patients in every corner of the globe as soon as possible." Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug that works by blocking the replication and proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 in the human body.
Both American and European experts are still studying the matter, although pre-orders have been made by the Commission in case it receives approval. But the question that arises is one: how exactly does this particular pill work? Initially, it contains the active substance molnupiravir and according to experts should be used immediately after the diagnosis of a patient with covid-19. No later than five days after the onset of symptoms. Conclusion: as soon as possible and not in seriously ill patients. It works by interfering with the metabolism of the virus, stopping its reproductive phase and thus reducing it vertically.
Its treatment can be done at home. The pill will be accessible to the general public, as it will be produced in large quantities. The pill is given twice a day for five days.
The scientific community is holding its breath. So far It is used only in the early stages and in groups at high risk for severe disease, the intravenous administration of monoclonal antibodies. In Greece it comes on November 11th. With the pill, however, no one will need to be hospitalized, as all they do is take the medicine orally. Another important parameter is that it seems easy to use by citizens. They avoid hospitals, hospitalization, but also the risk of rapid deterioration of the condition.
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