Today the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) antimicrobial drugs advisory committee voted to recommend the use of Merck's molnupiravir—the first pill indicated to treat COVID-19 infections and prevent hospitalization and death—13 to 10, concluding that potential benefits outweighed risks to patients who were at risk for developing severe COVID-19.The pill, if taken within the first 5 days of infection, offers a 30% reduction in the risk of hospitalization and death.
During the meeting, advisors discussed using the drug in high-risk patient populations, including pregnant women. Animal studies of the pill showed a potential toxicity for fetuses.Children and pregnant women have not been included in any trials of molnupiravir.The advisors