FDA advisory panel endorses Merck's COVID-19 pill, but it was a close vote

The FDA’s Antimicrobial Drug Advisory Committee met today, as anticipated, to decide whether it would recommend molnupiravir, an oral antiviral medication, as a new treatment option for COVID-19. The votes are now in, and though there were many opposed, the advisory panel ultimately recommended that molnupiravir receive an emergency use authorization (EUA). Recommendation, not authorization As with the COVID-19 vaccines, …