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.
![Covid-19 pills can be another important weapon after the covid-19 vaccine to deal with covid-19 at present and in the future. Can artificial intelligence help us design vaccines?](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Vaccine.jpg?w=1030&h=580&crop=1)
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.
Also Read: Firecrackers are Hazardous to Human and Animal Health