The world’s first oral treatment for COVID-19 is imminent… The game changer is ‘Well’

As global pharmaceutical company Merck (MSD) announced the interim results of the phase 3 clinical trial for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) oral treatment, expectations for a gradual recovery of daily life (with Corona) increased. However, experts diagnosed that oral treatment would be an auxiliary means of with Corona rather than a solution to Corona 19.

As a result of the EToday coverage on the 8th, experts raised questions about whether oral treatment would become a ‘game changer’ in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shin Sang-yeop, chair of the KMI Academic Committee (infectious disease specialist), said, “An oral treatment such as molnupiravir cannot be a game changer. In addition, there will be restrictions on use due to the high price of 900,000 won.”

Cheon Eun-mi, a professor of respiratory medicine at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, also said, “Since the clinical study of molnupiravir was conducted on people 65 years of age or older with one or more underlying diseases, even if it is released, it will be administered mainly to high-risk groups. “The side effects and safety are still uncertain because of the clinical trial they participated in, and it is difficult to administer to everyone like Tamiflu,” he said.

In fact, in the phase 3 clinical trial of molnupiravir, 775 patients over the age of 60 who were not vaccinated with high risk of infection, such as heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, participated. As a result, the primary efficacy evaluation index, hospitalization and mortality reduction rate, achieved 50%. Merck plans to end the clinical trial, which was originally scheduled to be completed in November, and apply for emergency use approval to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on the 1st (local time) that Merck would review an oral treatment for COVID-19 as quickly as possible. If approved by the FDA, molnupiravir will become the world’s first oral treatment for COVID-19.

Following the mention of the possibility of With Corona on the 9th of next month, the quarantine authorities prepared a budget of 36.2 billion won to purchase an oral treatment for Corona 19 this year, 16.8 billion won this year, and 19.4 billion won next year. This is equivalent to 18,000 and 20,000 people, respectively. Jung Eun-kyung, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), said in a state inspection of the welfare committee on the 7th, “We are negotiating to secure additional oral treatments for COVID-19.”

Merck plans to produce 10 million doses of the treatment by the end of the year, and plans to set a price policy according to the income level of each country. The US government has already secured the supply of 1.7 million people at US$1.2 billion, which is about US$700 (about 830,000 won) per person, and the amount set in Korea is estimated to be around 900,000 won.

Experts predicted that Merck’s oral treatment would be difficult to become a game changer, but could be helpful in terms of prevention.

Chairman Shin said, “If symptoms improve and hospitalization period is shortened due to treatment, it will be helpful in terms of preventing the load on the medical institution system and lowering the risk by lowering the transmission power to those around the patient. If another oral treatment can be developed and widely used, it will be helpful for the quarantine authorities even if it is not a game changer.”

Some have pointed out that a combination of COVID-19 antibody treatment and oral treatment is necessary. Professor Cheon said, “Currently, the target of antibody therapy overseas is anyone 18 years of age or older, whereas in Korea, it is targeting people over 50. If they are expanded and used together at the living treatment center, the hospitalization and mortality rates can be greatly reduced,” he explained.

Above all, vaccination is basic for a step-by-step recovery of daily life. Chairman Shin said, “Therapeutic agents may be useful in the prevention and control part and as an auxiliary means of vaccination, but basic vaccination as well as booster shots for people with weakened immunity are important.”

Professor Cheon said, “Unlike the flu, COVID-19 has high contagious power, so the problem is that vulnerable people can die if they become infected. In addition, it is still necessary to wear a mask and follow the quarantine rules because breakthrough infection can occur even after vaccination. ” he advised.