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Trial of ‘pill’ to treat COVID-19, first drug found to cut rates of serious morbidity and mortality by 50%

“Yakin” may change the situation in the world’s response to Covid-19.

Roy Reuters news agency reported that Merck & Co A U.S. pharmaceutical company has been testing a drug ‘Molnupiravir’ that is designed to insert errors into the virus’ genetic code. It can help reduce serious illness and death among at-risk COVID patients. If approved, this drug will be the first oral drug used to treat COVID-19.

Merck has tested the drug in 775 patients with the coronavirus, all of whom are at risk of serious disease. The results showed that Patients receiving molnupiravir twice daily For five days, only 7.3% were still hospitalized. and no one died within 29 days of treatment. While 14.1% of patients who did not receive the drug were hospitalized and eight died.

“Antiretroviral therapy that can be taken at home to reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19. In the hospital it is absolutely necessary.”

Wendy Holman The CEO of Merck partner company Ridgeback said in a statement. Merck also stated that Molnupiravir is effective against all strains of coronavirus, including Delta strains.

Medicinal pills = changer of the covid-19 situation?

Current coronavirus treatment options in use in many countries include the injectable antiviral drug Remdesivir made by Gilead and the steroid dexamethasone. Dexamethasone, both of which are administered only when the patient is seriously ill to the point of hospitalization.

Amesh Adalja Senior Scholar at the Center for Health Security Johns Hopkins University says existing medicines are cumbersome and transport challenges. Oral drugs that can reduce the risk of hospitalization will be a game changer.

“This drug will change the way we deal with COVID-19 around the world.” Robert Davis said Merck’s chief executive officer.

Reuters further reported that As a result of the Phase 3 trial, Merck’s shares rose more than 9%, as did Atea Pharmaceuticals. Shares of the COVID-19 vaccine maker, on the other hand, fell, with Moderna down more than 10%, while Pfizer fell less than 1. %

Analysts view that Investors believe that people will be less afraid of coronavirus and are less likely to be vaccinated. If there is a simple pill that can cure covid

The United States federal government responded to this saying: Molnupiravir It is an effective alternative to protecting people from COVID-19. But he insisted that vaccination was still the best option. Merck and its partners said they were planning to ask the US government to Emergency use of this drug is approved as soon as possible. including planning to obtain approval for this drug around the world

Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mercks-covid-19-pill-cuts-risk-death-hospitalization-by-50-study-2021-10-01/

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