Image by Merck Treatments
According to Phase III clinical trial results, Merck, a pharmaceutical company, claims that its COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir (molnupiravir), can cut down the risk of death and hospitalization from coronavirus by half.
The company is currently applying for an Emergency Use Authorization from US Food and Drug Administration.
This is a good development in new treatments for severe COVID-19 cases. However, the news should remind us that vaccinating our children is the best preventative measure.
COVID is still a very dangerous disease. It has claimed the lives of 1 in 500 Americans.
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Merck conducted trials on people who had recently been diagnosed with COVID. Merck also tested the drug against those who were obese, diabetic, or over 60.
After contracting the coronavirus, 53 of the 377 participants who were given the placebo were admitted to hospital after being sick for 29 days. Eight people in the placebo group died.
Only 28 of the 385 participants who were given the drug were admitted to hospital. None of them died.
Merck noted with optimism that the drug was effective against new strains of the virus. This includes the widely-used delta variant.
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The FDA would approve the approval of the pill as the third antiviral drug to treat COVID. Remdesivir, an injection has also been proven effective in preventing serious cases of COVID-19. Monoclonal antibody therapy also has shown promise.
However, all of these treatments are extremely expensive. According to The New York Times, a five-day course of molnupiravir costs approximately $700 per patient. The Pfizer vaccine is free and available at no cost in the United States.
Although there are significant advances in the development of effective COVID treatments, it is a simple fact that those who are not vaccinated are eleven times more likely to be admitted.
Although rare, there are instances of breakthrough infections. The vaccine is a great way for you to be safe.
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