 WHO
says it awaits full data from Merck on antiviral pill
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[October 12, 2021]
GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health
Organization is awaiting full clinical data on the antiviral pill made
by Merck & Co Inc to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients, a WHO
spokesperson said on Tuesday, a day after the company said it had
applied for U.S. emergency use authorisation.
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 WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier, asked at a U.N. briefing in
Geneva about the drug, said: "Indeed, this is an interesting
development. We would have to see the full data about it. If it
holds true, then it is another weapon in the fight against the
COVID-19 pandemic."
The treatment, molnupiravir, cut the rate of hospitalisation and
death by 50% in a trial of mild-to-moderately ill patients who had
at least one risk factor for the disease, according to data released
this month.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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