The antiviral pills, plentiful in the United States, are scarce overseas. Health groups and the White House want to expand access but face obstacles that evoke the H.I.V. epidemic.
Tag: Molnupiravir (Drug)
Two Covid Problems
The U.S. may soon run out of Covid money. That’s not the only problem.
Merck’s Covid Pill Might Pose Risks for Pregnant Women
Some laboratory studies suggest that molnupiravir can insert errors in DNA, which could in theory harm a developing fetus, sperm cells or children.
F.D.A. Advisers Endorses Merck’s Covid Pill for High-Risk Adults
The drug, molnupiravir, could be authorized within days for patients at high risk of severe illness.
Merck Says Its Covid Pill Is Less Effective in a Final Analysis
The drug, molnupiravir, reduced the risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk Covid patients by 30 percent. An earlier analysis had found a 50 percent reduction.
The U.K. Approves Merck’s Covid Pill
The British authorities said that the antiviral drug was “safe and effective” in reducing the risk of hospitalization and death for those at increased risk of severe symptoms.
Merck Will Share Formula for Its Covid Pill With Poor Countries
The company announced a licensing deal that will allow the drug, molnupiravir, to be made and sold cheaply in 105 developing nations.
Gates Foundation Pledges $120 Million to Help Get Merck Covid Pills to Poor Countries
Regulatory hurdles and supply chain issues could slow efforts to produce generic versions of Merck’s antiviral molnupiravir for developing nations, despite licensing agreements.
Will New Covid Treatments Be as Elusive for Poor Countries as Vaccines?
Merck has taken a step to make its antiviral pill available in poor nations, but many obstacles remain for broad access to coronavirus drugs.