Key Takeaways

The study results, based on a trial with 775 patients, showed that 7.3% of COVID-19 patients who received Molnupiravir were hospitalized or died within 29 days, compared with 14.1% who received the placebo. There were no reported deaths among those who received the pill, while eight deaths were recorded in patients who received the placebo.

All patients were required to have at least one risk factor for poor disease outcome, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Is Molnupiravir Safe?

While the results seem promising, Perlman notes that the treatment was tested in relatively small trials. There’s also no long-term data on the drug’s safety yet.

In addition, compared to the vaccines, Molnupiravir is expected to have a heftier price tag. “The treatment is more costly, reportedly $700 per course, and supply is expected to be limited," Perlman says.

Kristen Nichols, PharmD, an infectious disease pharmacist based in Ohio, also says that the results from the study cannot be considered definitive until the full study is published and peer-reviewed.

She adds that vaccination is a form of primary prevention that trains the immune system to respond to the virus, while the COVID-19 pill would serve as disease management after diagnosis. For immunocompromised patients who may not respond to vaccination, she says, Molnupiravir could be a good alternative.

“We still desperately need to vaccinate as many Americans as possible, and as many people across the globe,” Nichols says.

According to Merck, the company plans to submit an application for emergency use authorization to the Food and Drug Administration. White House Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Faucisaidthat the FDA will review Merck’s data as quickly as possible.

What This Means For YouMerck’s Molnupiravir has not yet received FDA approval. If approved, experts say that the COVID-19 pill could improve the condition of people who have contracted COVID. To stay up to date with FDA approvals, follow along here.

What This Means For You

Merck’s Molnupiravir has not yet received FDA approval. If approved, experts say that the COVID-19 pill could improve the condition of people who have contracted COVID. To stay up to date with FDA approvals, follow along here.

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