Japan in talks to procure oral COVID-19 drug for mild symptoms

Japan's health ministry is in talks with U.S. pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. to procure an oral COVID-19 medicine developed by the firm for use by those suffering from mild symptoms, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.The antiviral drug molnupiravir, which prevents the virus from entering or multiplying in the body, can be taken at home unlike existing medicines casirivimab and imdevimab, which are administered intravenously in an "antibody cocktail" treatment, raising hopes that it may reduce the strain on medical facilities."An oral drug that can be used at home for those su…READ FULL ARTICLE