On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) backed the use of Merck & Co Inc’s Covid-19 pill for high-risk patients. Post-six clinical trials involving 4,796 patients, the recommendation was made based on new data.
The WHO’s Guideline Development Group (GDG) recommendations are aimed to help the doctors by providing the best care for the patients in fast-moving situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Molnupiravir pill was conditionally recommended by the expert panel for patients with non-severe diseases like immunocompromised, unvaccinated, older people, or with chronic diseases who are at high risk of hospitalization.
In December, Molnupiravir was authorized by the US, since then the demand for the pill has seen a hit in demand due to its comparatively low efficacy and potential safety concerns for particular groups.
The WHO panel is also preparing recommendations for Pfizer’s Paxlovid. It has shown 90% effectiveness in preventing the Covid-19 hospitalization or death as compared with 30% for Molnupiravir.
According to the panel, young and healthy patients including children, pregnant or breastfeeding women should be refrained from giving Molnupiravir as it contains potential risks like defecting the development of the fetus as shown in the animal studies.
