At present, the world is using the covid-19 vaccine as the most promising weapon against it. The first country to approve the covid-19 vaccine in the world was the UK, several countries followed. It has again kept up with the record by becoming the first country to authorize an at-home treatment for covid-19. On Thursday, MHRA approved an antiviral drug called molnupiravir.
The antiviral drug is formulated by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck & Co. The trials of this antiviral drug have shown that it reduces the risk of hospitalization with covid-19 to half. It also reduces the risk of death in mild to moderate cases.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid termed this decision as a ‘historic day for our country. This decision is a reminder for the world to recognize the importance of antiviral drugs in the fight against the pandemic. On the next day, Pfizer Inc shared the announcements of 89% results for its home remedy for reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. It has also asked the US government for its authorization on emergency use.
The molnupiravir Home treatment by the UK and the announcement by Pfizer has come at a crucial time. The covid-19 infection rate in Britain is higher than the other countries. The present wave of covid-19 in Britain has fortunately not resulted in record deaths like before. The covid-19 has been useful in treating the covid-19 but the role of home treatment has been a key player. The immunity from vaccines has been decreasing. Therefore, the people who ate fully vaccinated are still contracting covid-19. This is increasing the risk for the spread of covid-19.
The molnupiravir shall be prescribed in particular cases. It will be prescribed when there is at least one risk factor for developing a serious infection. It can be obesity, diabetes, or advanced age. It comes in the form of a pill and it is different for other covid-19 cases. It is given in the form of a pill that makes it easy to administer. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a promise that Britain will find a way to ‘stop Covid in its tracks’. Just like a task force for covid-19, a new task force has been set up by the government to find and recognize such new therapeutics.
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