Antiviral drugs could cut Covid's severity for those with weak immune systems

A new antiviral medicine that can half the risk of death and hospitalisation from Covid-19 has been bought by the government to help protect older people and immunocompromised people.

Some 480,000 courses of Molnupiravir, made by Merck Sharp and Dohme, has been purchased which Health Secretary Sajid Javid said could be offered to thousands of ‘vulnerable’ people this winter including care home residents and those receiving home care.

The Government has also procured 250,000 courses of a second antiviral 'PF-07321332/ritonavir' from Pfizer.

The two drugs could be given to people who test positive for Covid and to those exposed to it but have still to be approved by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The government hopes Molnupiravir could be offered to the public before Christmas.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I am delighted to confirm we may soon have a new defence in our arsenal with two new antiviral drugs that we have secured.

“Our work is far from done, though – and we’ll continue to secure more innovative treatments so we can protect as many people as possible from the virus, its variants and future diseases.”

Antivirals are treatments used to either treat those who are infected with a virus or protect exposed individuals from becoming infected. They target the virus at an early stage, preventing progression to more severe, or even critical, symptoms.

England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Van-Tam said: “Antivirals bring another key intervention to the table.

“They will be particularly vital in protecting those who may not get the same antibody response to the vaccines as the majority of the population.

“We will now work quickly to ensure the right cohorts of people receive these treatments as soon as possible, should they be approved by the MHRA.”

Antivirals will add to NHS 'armoury'

Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, said: "Alongside delivering millions of COVID-19 vaccinations and over four million boosters as part of the biggest and most successful NHS vaccination programme, this new treatment being trialled in a national study will add to the health service’s armoury in giving the most vulnerable people the best chance of recovery from this deadly virus, and with cases rising, it is still very much a threat to public health.

"Tested and trialled on the NHS these medicines are the latest example of the health service offering patients the world’s most innovative treatments, which not only save lives, but could also help reduce the number of people becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, as we head into one of the most challenging winters to date."

In a Downing Street briefing last night, Mr Javid urged people to get their Covid booster vaccines when invited and flu jabs. He warned if not enough people get vaccinated, it is more likely restrictions will be reintroduced in England.