UK Authorizes Merck Antiviral Pill, 1st Shown To Treat COVID

A new COVID pill developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Burke has been approved in the UK, marking a significant milestone as the first oral medication for the virus. The pill, which can be taken at home, targets an enzyme to prevent the virus from multiplying, reducing the risk of severe disease by half. The UK has already ordered 480,000 courses, and other countries like Australia and Singapore have also made purchase agreements. While the UK sees stabilizing COVID cases, the pill is a welcome addition to treatment options. Other companies, including Pfizer and Roche, are working on similar treatments, with the FDA set to review the pill's safety and efficacy soon.

Which organizations developed the first approved oral COVID-19 treatment pill?

• Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline

• Pfizer and Roche

• Moderna and AstraZeneca

• Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Burke

What is the primary function of the newly approved COVID-19 pill?

• To boost the immune system

• To act as a pain reliever

• To introduce errors in the virus's genetic code

• To provide a vaccine-like effect

By what percentage does the new COVID-19 pill reduce the risk of hospitalization or death?

• About 75%

• About 50%

• About 90%

• About 25%

Which countries have made purchase agreements for the new COVID-19 pill?

• Canada, Mexico, Brazil

• Australia, Singapore, South Korea

• India, China, Japan

• Germany, France, Italy

What is the FDA expected to do regarding the new COVID-19 pill?

• Approve it for immediate use

• Ban its use in the US

• Review its safety and efficacy

• Distribute it to hospitals