FDA Authorizes Merck’s COVID-19 Pill Weeks After US Makes $2.2 Billion Purchase

Merck's antiviral pill against COVID-19 is seen in an undated photograph. Merck via AP

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday morning issued an emergency use authorization for Merck’s antiviral pill for COVID-19, more than 12 hours after giving the green light for a similar, oral drug made by Pfizer.

Merck’s drug, named molnupiravir, was developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, and it was shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths from 9.7 percent to 6.8 percent in clinical trials of high-risk individuals, according to the federal drug regulator.