Merck, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers based in the USA and Canada, shared promising new information about the Covid-19 pill “Molnupiravir” developed. Oral medication also reduces the risk of death and intensive care hospitalization caused by the virus by 50%.
While discussions on the effectiveness, number of doses and age groups of coronavirus vaccines continue, pharmaceutical company Merck shared the new research results about its drug, which is still in the experimental stage. It reduces the risk of death and the possibility of intensive care by 50%. was recorded.
For the pill, which is planned to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as soon as possible submission to regulatory authorities around the world Waiting. Thanks to the positive results obtained, the Phase-3 trial of the drug ended earlier than planned.
What kind of medicine is the Covid-19 pill Molnupiravir?
Molnupiravir, which is taken orally because it is a pill, reduces its effects by adding errors to the genetic code of the coronavirus, so that the disease can be overcome more mildly. Molnupiravir, which is likened to BioNTech’s vaccine because it breaks the genetic code of the virus, not the patient, if it gets approval from the FDA and other regulatory agencies. First drug option other than Covid-19 vaccines may be marketed.
What kind of study results did molnupiravir show promise?
According to the details in Reuters, Molnupiravir was tested on a total of 775 patients from all parts of the world. Patients taking the drug during treatment 7.3% were hospitalized and no deaths were found. In contrast, patients in the placebo group, that is, in the comparison group who did not receive the drug, 14.1% were hospitalized and 8 people died.
According to this comparison between the two groups, death was not encountered in patients taking Molnupiravir; Those who took the drug were hospitalized close to 50% less often than those who did not. drug during testing every 12 hours for 5 days was given to the patients.
It was said to be “effective against all variants, including Delta”, but its side effects have not yet been clearly explained:
According to the statements of Merck, the company that produces the drug, Molnupiravir is effective against all variants of the coronavirus that have been recorded to date, including Delta. However, the company It has not yet made a clear statement about its side effects.. It has been noted that it does not cause any genetic changes in human cells.
Heterosexual intercourse was forbidden to the men participating in the experiment, and being pregnant to women; birth control pill required:
In the testing phase of the drug, male and female patients participating in the experiment use of birth control pills While “heterosexual intercourse” was prohibited for men, “being pregnant” was prohibited for women of childbearing age.
The price of the Covid-19 pill Molnupiravir:
Merck stated that it is ready to produce 10 million doses of Molnupiravir. In addition, according to the agreement with the US government, there are all doses to be taken every 12 hours for 5 days. A pack of Molnupiravir costs $700 was determined as. Merck reported that an agreement has been reached with the US government for 1.7 million packages of drugs.