Merck says it has first effective antiviral pill against Covid-19 pandemic

Drug cuts hospitalisation, deaths by 50%, shows an analysis of a late-stage trial

Merck & Co’s Covid-19 antiviral pill molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death by 50 per cent in an interim analysis of a late-stage trial, findings that could give doctors another potent virus-fighting tool.
 
The company is halting the study and will seek an emergency-use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration as quickly as possible, Chief Executive Officer Rob Davis said in an interview. Merck also plans to submit applications to regulators in other countries.  “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the results,” Davis said. “You don’t have to go to the hospital, you don’t have