The UK Health Secretary hailed the drug as a "game-changer".
Molnupiravir, the first pill to treat Covid-19, has been authorised for use in the United Kingdom.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted its approval, stating the antiviral drug is "safe and effective" at reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death in people with mild to moderate Covid-19 who are at increased risk of developing severe disease.
Molnupiravir is noteworthy as it is the world’s first approved antiviral for Covid-19 that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously.
This means it can be taken outside of a hospital setting before the virus has progressed to a severe stage.
Developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), the pill works by interfering with Covid-19 replication.
It prevents the virus from multiplying, keeping its levels in the body low, thus reducing the severity of the disease.
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In clinical trials, the pill was found to be effective in reducing the risk of hospitalisation or death for at-risk non-hospitalised adults with mild to moderate Covid-19 by 50%.
Molnupiravir has been authorised for use in the UK for people with mild to moderate cases of the virus and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness.
These risk factors include obesity, being aged over-60, diabetes or heart disease.
Based on clinical trial data, the pill is most effective when taken during the early stages of infection.
As such, the MHRA recommends its use as soon as possible following a positive Covid-19 test and within five days of the onset of symptoms.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid hailed the announcement of the drug's approval.
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“Today is a historic day for our country, as the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an antiviral that can be taken at home for Covid-19," he said.
"This will be a game-changer for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed, who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment."
He said the UK Government are working "at pace" with the NHS to set out plans to administer molnupiravir to patients through a national study "as soon as possible".
