FDA authorizes Merck's COVID-19 oral pill

• Merck’s oral antiviral pill has been authorized by the FDA

• The U.S. has agreed to purchase about 3.1 million molnupiravir courses for $2.2 billion

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday authorized Merck’s antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 for emergency use, adding a second pill to the nation’s arsenal to combat coronavirus.

Merck’s antiviral treatment, molnupiravir, developed in partnership with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, is cleared for anyone of 18 years of age and older who are at risk for severe disease, with mild to moderate infections.