LOOK: This could be the first anti-COVID-19 pill

It seems like hope is on the horizon in humanity's fight against COVID-19 as pharmaceutical company Merck announced on Monday that they are already seeking US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization for their experimental antiviral COVID-19 treatment drug, molnupiravir.

Once approved by the FDA, it will become the first oral antiviral medication for COVID-19.

This move comes after it was found in a study--yet to be peer-reviewed--that molnupiravir helped reduce hospitalization and death among mild-to-moderately ill patients by 50 percent.

The Phase 3 clinical trial for molnupiravir, which Merck developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, was conducted among patients with at least one risk factor for COVID-19 and were not yet vaccinated against the virus.

The interim study was done in more than 20 countries, including the Philippines. COVID-19 patients at the Lung Center of the Philippines and the Quirino Memorial Medical Center were treated using molnupiravir during the trial.

Molnupiravir pills / Source: Merck

The drug is considered a game-changer in the clinical management of the dreaded disease because once FDA approval is granted for molnupiravir, the anti-COVID-19 pill can be conveniently used at home.

Molnupiravir works by preventing SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19, from multiplying inside the body. Hence, preventing the progression of the disease.

Merck said they will be offering tiered pricing to ensure vaccine equity and will work closely with generic drug manufacturers to fast-track the availability of the drug to low- and middle-income countries.

Among the countries reportedly eyeing to sign a supply deal with Merck for molnupiravir are Australia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.

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Meanwhile, here's a list of local celebrities who have been vaccinated against COVID-19: