Defending against all known variants of Covid-19, including the Delta variant, the Republic has inked a supply and purchase agreement for an antiviral pill to treat Covid-19. Molnupiravir would be the first oral antiviral medication for COVID-19 which is designed to introduce errors into the genetic code of the virus.
The drug was developed by Merck, which is a pharmaceutical firm in the United States and Canada along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in Miami. For the pill, Merck is awaiting a green signal from the United States Food and Drugs Administration. However, regarding the confirmation of the Merck agreement, the Singapore health ministry did not immediately respond to a request. Australia has confirmed the purchase of the Merck pill whereas Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia are yet to confirm their purchase.
On Friday, the data released from interim clinical trials resulted in the rush to order the drug. The data revealed that the pills could reduce 50% chances of hospitalization or death for patients at risk of severe disease from the COVID-19 infection.
This is Singapore’s biggest coronavirus outbreak to date, with 3,486 new cases being reported on Tuesday. Nearly 80% of its citizens have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country.
