Merck asks US FDA to authorize promising anti-COVID pill
[MGN]
WASHINGTON (AP) – Drugmaker Merck has asked U.S. regulators to authorize its promising antiviral pill against COVID-19, setting the stage for a decision within weeks. If cleared by the Food and Drug Administration, it would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19, adding a new, easy-to-use weapon to the world’s arsenal against the pandemic.
Earlier in October, Merck announced its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus.
The FDA will scrutinize company data on the drug’s safety and effectiveness before rendering a decision.
All COVID-19 drugs now authorized by the FDA require an IV or injection.