Japan's health ministry approved Friday an oral COVID-19 drug developed by U.S. pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co., making it the first such pill to be used in the country.Molnupiravir, which prevents the novel coronavirus from multiplying in the body, was given the green light under a fast-track process after MSD K.K., the Japanese arm of Merck, applied in early December to produce and sell the drug in Japan.The Japanese subsidiary has said molnupiravir is also likely effective against the Omicron variant of the virus. Patients 18 or older with mild symptoms will be able to take the pill twic…READ FULL ARTICLE
