A substance to fight coronavirus has not confirmed the declared effectiveness

Merck published updated research results on molnupiravir, new COVID-19 pills. Their effectiveness was only 30% versus 50%, about which said after the third phase of clinical trials.

Now the developers of the drug were able to analyze the results of its use on 1,433 patients. All were officially diagnosed with COVID-19. Scientists divided the volunteers into two groups: the first took a placebo for 5 days, and the second - an experimental substance.

It turned out that 9.7% of the first group were forced to seek hospitalization due to complications, while among those taking molnupiravir there were 6.8%. A month ago, these figures were 14.1% and 7.3%, respectively (there were about 750 patients in total).

Molnupiravir increases the frequency of RNA mutations, suppressing the reproduction of the virus. Due to this, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, stops multiplying in the body. This substance does not cause serious side effects in ordinary people, but the question as to whether its use can lead to the emergence of new strains remains open.

November 30th will become known, will the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) emergency use of the drug in a clinical setting. In the UK, molnupiravir has already approved.

The results of studies of a similar antiviral substance from Pfizer, which, according to preliminary estimates, has an efficiency of 89%.