Experts weigh in on the antiviral pill for COVID-19

Hand holding a red pill

On December 23, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that molnupiravir, an investigational oral antiviral drug invented by scientists at Emory University, has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for treatment of COVID-19. The EUA authorizes the use of molnupiravir for “the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.“
 
Below we capture what some experts outside Emory said about molnupiravir after it was announced that its manufacturers would apply for EUA.

“[Molnupiravir] is an orally administered drug. That’s really very important. We really look forward to the implementation of this and to its effect on people who are infected.” –Anthony Fauci, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
“The right way to think about [molnupiravir] is this is a potential additional tool in our toolbox to protect people from the worst outcomes of Covid.” –Jeff Zients, coronavirus response coordinator, The White House
“The fact that the new clinical trial was stopped by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board early because of overwhelming efficacy, deeming it unethical to proceed, would be considered a Eureka moment in the fight against Covid.” –Eric Topol, professor of molecular medicine, Scripps Research Institute
“Today will mark another milestone in our battle against Covid. Combined with basic public health measures and of course vaccines, we can now see the day when our ability to harness science will finally defeat this virus.” –Ashish Jha, dean, Brown University School of Public Health
“[Molnupiravir] is certainly good news. I think everybody wants earlier treatment so that we prevent people from … getting to that severe state and actually dying from the disease.” –Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for COVID-19, World Health Organization
“To have something to take by mouth the minute you’re diagnosed, that reduces your chances of getting severely sick … that’s kind of the dream.” –Nahid Bhadelia, founding director, Boston University’s Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research
“It would be a total game changer if somebody, when they’re diagnosed with mild Covid, early on in their treatment are able to take a pill at home. That relieves the burden on the health care system. That also really helps the individual.” –Leana Wen, emergency physician and media columnist and contributor
“[Molnupiravir] is certainly good news. I think everybody wants earlier treatment so that we prevent people from ... getting to that severe state and actually dying from the disease.” –Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for COVID-19, World Health Organization
“The fact that the new clinical trial was stopped by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board early because of overwhelming efficacy, deeming it unethical to proceed, would be considered a eureka moment in the fight against Covid.” –Eric Topol, professor of molecular medicine, Scripps Research Institute
“It would be a total game changer if somebody, when they’re diagnosed with mild Covid, early on in their treatment are able to take a pill at home. That relieves the burden on the health care system. That also really helps the individual.” –Leana Wen, emergency physician and media columnist and contributor
“Today will mark another milestone in our battle against Covid. Combined with basic public health measures and of course vaccines, we can now see the day when our ability to harness science will finally defeat this virus.” –Ashish Jha, dean, Brown University School of Public Health
“To have something to take by mouth the minute you’re diagnosed that reduces your chances of getting severely sick ... that’s kind of the dream.” –Nahid Bhadelia, founding director, Boston University Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research

Nahid Bhadelia photo courtesy: Boston University

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