United Kingdom has become the first-ever country to allow conditional authorization to administer Merck’s antiviral drug to treat COVID-19. However, the availability of the drug is still not announced.

The antiviral drug is approved for COVID-19 patients who are above 18 years and are at a risk of developing severe disease. In such cases,  Molnupiravir is advised to take twice a day, provided the symptoms range from mild to moderate.

The drug has been marked safe for usage in trials and will decrease the chances of death and hospital risks in patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Talking about the drug, Sajid Javid, Health Secretary said, “Today is a historic day for our country, as the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an antiviral that can be taken at home for COVID-19.”

“This will be a gamechanger for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed. Those who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment.”

He further said: “We are working at pace across the government and with the NHS to set out plans to deploy molnupiravir to patients through a national study as soon as possible.”