United States, FDA consultants support the use of the Merck pill against Covid

2021-11-30T22:23:45.412Z

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) external advisory committee voted in favor of clearing Merck & Co's Covid-19 antiviral pill, saying the drug's benefits outweigh the potential risks. The vote saw 13 in favor and 10 against. Experts pointed out that it should not be used by pregnant women and called on the FDA to recommend additional precautions, including pregnancy tests for women before using the drug. The group specifically advocated the drug for adults with mild to moderate Covid-19 who face the greatest risks, including those with conditions like obesity, asthma, and old age. The FDA is not bound by the panel's recommendation and should make its decision before the end of theyear. It would be the first drug patients could take on their own, easing the burden on hospitals and helping curb deaths. The pill is already licensed in the UK.