The UK has bought 480,000 courses of the new antiviral Covid-19 pill Molnupiravir  developed by U.S.-based Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, in a boost to the fight against the pandemic. 

It has now been approved by the MHRA, the medical regulator and recommended the drug,for use in people with mild to moderate the virus and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, older age diabetes, and heart disease. 

The pill, which will be branded as Lagevrio in Britain and is taken twice a day for five days.  

UK vaccines minister Maggie Throup told parliament “We are now working across government and the NHS to urgently get this treatment to patients”.  

As winter is approaching, the pressure is also growing on the government to protect the NHS from unsustainable demands, involving mask mandates, vaccine passes and work-from-home orders. 

Lagevrio is a part of the ‘Plan B’ measures needed help relieve this pressure.  

More information can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mhra-guidance-on-coronavirus-covid-19  

Lina Ali