2023-10-05 22:00:07
Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug previously thought to be effective against Covid-19, may actually be triggering the emergence of new coronavirus variants, according to a study published in the journal “Nature”. Clinical pharmacologist Markus Zeitlinger, in an interview with “Today”, explained that the drug was initially developed as a flu medication and was never approved for use against Covid-19.
Zeitlinger stated that due to the desperate situation caused by the pandemic, molnupiravir was taken out of the medication drawer and used before completing the official approval process, with the permission of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). As a result of its use in sick individuals, it was discovered that the drug causes mutations in the virus’s genome, hindering replication and reducing viral load within 24 hours. The hope was that the immune system could then eliminate the remaining virus.
However, if a person’s immune system is weak, mutated viruses may survive and be transmitted to others. Zeitlinger clarified that while mutations were found in individuals who took the medication, it did not create a “supervirus”.
On February 24, 2023, the EMA announced that it would not approve molnupiravir for use in the EU. Another study also revealed that the drug did not reduce hospitalizations or deaths among high-risk patients. As a result, the drug’s developer, Merck, has withdrawn it from the market.
This new information highlights the challenges faced in the development and use of drugs during a pandemic. It serves as a reminder that thorough research, testing, and approval processes are crucial in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medications used to combat diseases like Covid-19.]
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