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US Food and Drug Administration has also approved the use of MSD treatment following Pfizer. However, due to the potential for serious side effects, only limited use was permitted.
Correspondent Yunsu Kim from Washington.
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US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved the use of molnupiravir, a COVID-19 pill treatment developed by MSD.
Yesterday (23rd), after Pfizer's 'Pax Lovid', the second Corona 19 treatment pill was approved.
However, MSD treatment was found to be significantly less effective than Pfizer treatment.
The rate of lowering hospitalization and mortality in high-risk patients is about 30%, which is one-third that of Pfizer's treatment.
In addition, it is reported that there is a possibility of serious side effects such as birth defects.
The FDA has warned that both men and women should use birth control for a period of time after taking the drug, and has banned its use in patients under the age of 18 because it may affect growth.
It was only approved for use in high-risk groups, etc., when there was no other treatment alternative.
Previously, Pfizer's treatment, approved for high-risk patients 12 years of age and older, reported only relatively mild side effects, such as decreased taste, diarrhea, and high blood pressure.
The White House announced that it has secured 10 million doses of Pfizer treatment and will supply 260,000 doses in January next year.
[Jeff Giants/White House Corona 19 Response Coordinator: As Pfizer manufactures and delivers corona treatment, we will supply it across the United States.]
Pfizer treatment is known to take about 9 months to manufacture, so it is necessary to secure the initial supply. Competition in each country is expected to intensify.