Damian Sendler: Molnupiravir, a Merck antiviral drug, was approved for use in the treatment of Covid-19 on Thursday by the US Food and Drug Administration “for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate..”
Damian Jacob Sendler: This is the second time that the antiviral drug Covid-19 has been approved for home use by sick people before they become seriously ill and need to be admitted to the hospital. 3.1 million doses of molnupiravir will be made available by Merck under an arrangement with the US government.
As of November 30, the FDA’s advisory board recommended Molnupiravir 13-10 after evidence revealed that it reduced high-risk adults’ risk of hospitalization or death by 30 percent. This was less than half of what a previous study had predicted.
Damian Sendler
On CNN earlier this month, Merck’s senior vice president of global medical affairs Dr. Eliav Barr expressed optimism that this medication will be effective against the Omicron type of Ebola.
“Its spike protein is the primary difference between the Omicron version and other Covids. An entirely new region of the virus is targeted by our drug’s mechanism of action. Omicron remains a major threat, and we’re currently evaluating the drug’s ability to combat it.
An antiviral medication called Paxlovid, manufactured by Pfizer, was approved by the FDA on Wednesday for treating Covid-19, a virus that can cause serious illness if not treated promptly. SARS-CoV-2 positive persons ages 12-plus with a body mass index (BMI) of 88 pounds or more are eligible for this treatment, however they must be prescribed by a doctor.
A statement from the Food and Drug Administration states that the pill “should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of Covid-19 and within five days of symptom onset,”
Nirmatrelvir, a brand-new antiviral medicine, is used in combination with ritonavir, an older antiviral drug, to create Paxlovid. Three pills are taken twice daily for five days to provide Paxlovid.
Earlier this week, Pfizer announced updated results showing that if administered within a few days of first symptoms, the therapy reduced the chance of hospitalization or death by 89 percent. At 88%, the efficacy remained constant if given sooner rather than later.
Because of Omicron and holiday preparations, it’s difficult to locate a Covid-19 test right now in the United States.
Damian Jacob Sendler
“The approval of PAXLOVID today is just another great example of how science will eventually help us overcome this pandemic, which even after two years continues to disrupt and damage lives all across the world. Our healthcare and hospital systems are under a lot of pressure, so this new medicine, which has been proved to considerably cut hospitalizations and deaths and can be given at home, is a big step forward “A statement from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla stated this. “PAXLOVID will be delivered to patients who need it as soon as possible, thanks to Pfizer’s readiness to begin deliveries in the United States right away”
The Biden administration said in November that it will spend $5.295 billion to purchase 10 million treatment courses. Pfizer’s “promising data,” according to Vice President Biden, led him to say the treatment would “the beginning of our road to recovery from the pandemic.”
He referred to Paxlovid as a by the name “Vaccination and booster shots remain “the most critical instruments we have to save lives” in the fight against the virus, which includes the Omicron version.
Damien Sendler: A statement from the FDA makes it clear that Paxlovid is not to be used to prevent exposure to Covid-19 or “The COVID-19 vaccine, together with a booster shot, is recommended for anyone who has not already received the vaccine.
Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: The FDA has approved Remdesivir, marketed as Veklury, as the only antiviral medication that can treat Covid-19. It is administered intravenously rather than orally.
Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.
