Molnupiravir, an oral COVID-19 antiviral medication, has just been added as a conditional recommendation to the World Health Organization’s living guidelines on COVID-19 therapeutics. 

The pill, created by Merck, had already been approved by the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) in January to be distributed and supplied in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

In comparison with Pfizer’s Paxlovid, Monulpiravir emerged with lower efficacy ratings and more potential adverse effects, in the FDA’s final review of clinical trial results.

Even so, the Merck drug is still regarded as an important new tool in countries’ arsenals, as it can be administered to certain patients unable to tolerate Paxlovid. WHO recommends molnupiravir to non-severe COVID-19 patients with the highest risk of hospitalizations, including people who have not received a COVID-19 vaccination, older people, people with immunodeficiencies, and people living with chronic diseases.  WHO has not yet made a recommendation 

See more about monulpiravir: WHO

Image Credits: Merck .