Merck Anti-COVID Pill Will Not Be Added to India's National Treatment Protocol

One of India’s top health officials made major news last week with an announcement about safety concerns regarding an experimental treatment for COVID-19. Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research…

IJR SyndicatedJan 9, 20223 min read

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“As of now, the current recommendation stands that it is not part of the national task force treatment.”

Bhargava added that the Drugs Controller General of India approved molnupiravir for emergency use in December.

Reuters reported that drugs in the same class as molnupiravir have been associated with birth defects in animal studies.

Yet, the news agency pointed out Merck’s claims that similar studies of this drug, “for longer and at higher doses than used in humans, show that it does not cause birth defects or cancer.”

Meanhwhile, the FDA has granted emergency use authorization to the pill in the U.S, according to Reuters.

“The pill is not recommended for use during pregnancy,” Reuters noted.

The article also reported that the FDA “advised that men of reproductive potential use a reliable method of birth control during treatment with molnupiravir, and for at least three months after the final dose.”

The FDA’s decision came a day after giving “broader go-ahead” to a Pfizer pill to fight the Coronavirus, Reuters reported.

“Pfizer’s antiviral regimen, Paxlovid, was nearly 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in patients at high risk of severe illness, according to data from the company’s clinical trial,” Reuters reported. “Recent lab data suggests the drug retains its effectiveness against Omicron, Pfizer said.”

The pill was approved for those 12 and older at risk of serious illness.

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.