Tag: molnupiravir

UK becomes first country to approve anti-Covid pill

by James PHEBY LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain on Thursday became the first country to approve an anti-Covid pill, as it greenlit the use of Merck’s antiviral drug to treat patients suffering from mild to moderate coronavirus, regulators 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-19,” said health minister Sajid […]

Merck strikes deal for global access to Covid drug

by Robin MILLARD GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — US drugmaker Merck & Co. on Wednesday announced a deal that could see generic versions of its Covid-19 medication widely distributed in poorer countries, in a first during the pandemic. The global Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) said it had signed a voluntary licensing agreement with Merck to facilitate affordable worldwide access for its investigational oral antiviral medicine molnupiravir. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal will help create broad […]

EU medicines agency starts review of Merck oral Covid drug

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The EU’s medicines watchdog said on Monday it had started reviewing an oral Covid medication from the US pharmaceutical firm Merck, raising hopes for an easy-to-administer treatment to reduce serious or deadly cases. The move, which could eventually lead to authorization on the European market, comes two weeks after Merck applied for emergency use in the US of the anti-coronavirus drug. “EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has started a rolling […]