The United Kingdom is the first country to approve the antiviral COVID-19 pill

Following a rigorous review, the UK approved the antiviral COVID-19 drug Lagevrio (molnupiravir) after it was found to be safe and effective at reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death in people with mild to moderate COVID-19. Lagevrio is a drug developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD). It works by interfering with the replication of the virus. This prevents it from multiplying, keeping virus levels low in the body and thus reducing the severity of the disease, according to a statement issued by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Thursday (November 4).

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, wrote on Twitter, “It’s fantastic to hear that @MHRAgovuk has approved molnupiravir, the world’s first antiviral pill for Covid. Along with the critical protection provided by our vaccines, this treatment has the potential to keep those most vulnerable from becoming seriously ill with Covid.”

According to clinical trial data, Lagevrio is most effective when taken in the early stages of infection, so the MHRA recommends using it as soon as possible after a positive COVID-19 test and within five days of symptom onset, according to the statement. Molnupiravir is approved for use in people with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at least one risk factor for severe illness. Obesity, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease are all risk factors, according to the MHRA.

“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. This will be a gamechanger for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed, who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment,” the UK’s Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said.

“The UK is leading the way to research, develop and roll out the most exciting, cutting-edge treatments, and my thanks goes to the expert teams at the MHRA and MSD for this triumph, as well as the Antivirals Taskforce who have procured the treatment,” he added.

“In clinical trials, Lagevrio 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%,” said Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the Commission on Human Medicines. “Lagevrio is not intended to be used as a substitute for COVID-19 vaccination,” Pirmohamed added.

Merck CEO and President Rob Davis stated that “our COVID-19 antiviral medicine is a major achievement in Merck’s singular legacy of bringing forward breakthrough medicines and vaccines to address the world’s greatest health challenges.”