Merck’s Covid Pill Narrowly Gets Backing From FDA Advisers

  • Thin vote margin highlights safety concerns about treatment
  • Decision comes as scientists race to study new omicron variant
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Merck & Co.’s Covid-19 pill narrowly gained a key recommendation from advisers to U.S. regulators, after a lengthy debate about the safety of the potential game-changing treatment.

The Food and Drug Administration’s advisory committee voted 13-10 to back Merck’s antiviral drug molnupiravir, saying that while there were safety concerns about the pill, its potential benefits outweigh the risks.