A Covid19 Pill?

The US firm Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics appear to have developed a novel treatment for infections with Sars-CoV-2 (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/01/covid-antiviral-pill-halves-hospitalisations-and-deaths-maker-says). Molnupiravir is a currently-unique oral medication for people infected by Covid19. The medication was tested in 775 adults, with a mild or moderate infection. All were thought, however, to be at high risk, due to underlaying health problems. Health problems in subjects included obesity and/or having diabetes or heart disease. Half the subjects swallowed a Molnupiravir pill daily for 5 days. The remainder were placebo-treated controls. In the trial, Molnupiravir reduced both hospitalisations and deaths by 50%. Given these encouraging results, the company is applying for approval of the drug's use in the US. It might be worth pointing out, however, that the sample size in this initial trial is relatively modest. Questions about whether the groups are actually a) fully representative and b) completely balanced, may need to be answered. Information on possible side-effects is also currently somewhat limited (there were 'drop-outs' in both groups). A oral treatment that can quickly be given to Covid19 patients who are at risk, would, however, be a valuable addition to the medical armamentarium.