The UK authorization of molnupiravir, and the results shown by the drug from Pfizer, gave hope that it would pave the way for more effective management of Covid-19 in all countries (Photo :.)
The UK drugs regulator announced that it had given notice to the first oral antiviral for the treatment of covid-19 on Thursday. The drug named ‘molnupiravir’ developed by Merck and Ridgeback has been cleared for those with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 or at least a risk that could lead to serious illness, the UK regulatory agency said.
On the same day, Pfizer also announced the results of the trial of its oral antiviral drug COVID-19 “Paxlovid,” saying the drug has significantly helped reduce hospitalizations and deaths related to covid-19.
Currently, molnupiravir is being tested in India while in the United States it is also under evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
No oral antiviral drugs except Molnupiravir
There have been several drugs seen by the world throughout the pandemic, but so far no recommended oral drug has gained regulatory clearance in any of the countries from food regulators other than molnupiravir. The other treatments also did not give the expected results of them.
Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, ritonavir and lopinavir, and interferon beta 1a were among the covid drugs that were being tested. The WHO has finally concluded that these four drugs have little or no effect on hospitalized patients with Covid-19.
What about Molnupiravir and Paxlovid
The British authorization of molnupiravir and the results shown by Pfizer’s drug gave hope that it would pave the way for more effective management of Covid-19 in all countries. The UK regulator has actually stated that molnupiravir is “safe and effective” to use. On October 27, the WHO notified that molnupiravir was being evaluated for inclusion in the WHO guidelines on Covid-19 therapeutics and is awaiting approval from its regulators.
As for Paxlovid, Pzifer plans to submit its interim clinical trial data to the FDA, the US food regulation, for emergency use clearance as soon as possible.
And l’Then?
Merck is currently in talks with a number of Indian drug manufacturers to obtain a license for the molnupirship. On June 29, Indian drug maker Cipla announced that Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd (DRL), Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd would collaborate on a trial of the drug molnupiravir for the treatment of mild Covid patients.
A spokesperson for DRL said earlier that the trial was ongoing and provisional data was being shared with the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India). He also said that developments regarding approval in other countries are also being tracked.
Hetero Labs Ltd had also submitted interim clinical data in patients with moderate covid, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization said.
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