Merck & Co.’s COVID-19 pill was cleared by U.S. regulators Thursday, giving high-risk American patients a second at-home treatment just as the omicron variant is causing cases to surge around the country.
The drug, molnupiravir, received emergency authorization on the heels of Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 pill being cleared Wednesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Merck’s drug is not recommended for use in pregnant people.
The two treatments hold the potential to keep a sharp rise in infections from overwhelming U.S. hospitals. Molnupiravir, developed by Merck with partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is intended to be used at home to treat COVID-19 in people 18 and older at risk of developing severe illness. A study showed it reduced the risk of hospitalization and death among adults with mild to moderate disease by 30%.