Merck & Co., Inc.’s molnupiravir has drawn split opinions from the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee. On 30 November, the committee voted 13-10 in favor of the drug’s risk-benefit profile when used for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult patients within five days of symptom onset and at high risk of severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. (Also see "Divided US FDA AdComm Backs Molnupiravir Authorization But Wants More Studies" - Pink Sheet, 1 December, 2021.)
While most members agreed molnupiravir’s efficacy in reducing hospitalizations and deaths in this population outweighed its risks, others were hesitant...
