COVID-19: Morocco authorizes emergency use of Merck’s Molnupiravir

Morocco has authorized the emergency use of Molnupiravir, becoming one of the first countries in the world to approve this antiviral drug developed by the US pharmaceutical company Merck.

The announcement was made by Director of Medicines and Pharmacy at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Ms. Bouchra Meddah.

The protocol for the treatment of COVID-19 patients by this drug was proactively strengthened, after its approval last Tuesday by the members of the national scientific and technical committee, with the aim of treating acute respiratory illnesses, Meddah said.

This drug has proved to be effective and reduces the risk of severe cases and deaths by 50%, especially if given within the first five days of infection, Meddah pointed out.

The Ministry of Health has obtained all the documents and data needed, which have been carefully examined to verify that this drug is of good quality and without risk for the patients, she said, adding that samples of this drug were analyzed by the national drug control laboratory, which came out with the same result.

Some countries such as Great Britain, the United States, and Japan have already authorized this drug for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Several other countries have ordered it to make it available to the public, she pointed out.

This drug requires a prescription from a doctor and is available in public hospitals, university hospitals and private clinics, Meddah said, adding that it will also be available at drugstores.

Merck has authorized several labs to make generic versions to enable everyone to have quick access to the drug, she said.

The ministry, she recalls, urges citizens to complete their vaccination schedule and comply with preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus, especially the Omicron variant which spreads very quickly.

the new variant now represents over 70% of new cases in Morocco.

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Merck’s molnupiravir for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing.