- Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces intentions to purchase 300,000 COVID-19 antiviral pills prior to official authorisation of the drug
- The pill shows promise of halving the chances of dying or being hospitalised for severe forms of the virus
- Victoria hits the record for the highest number of cases for any state since the beginning of the pandemic with 1746 new cases on Monday
- National first dose vaccination numbers have surpassed 80% as of today
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced intentions to purchase 300,000 COVID-19 antiviral pills prior to the official authorisation of the drug.
Merck and Co, an American pharmaceutical company, confirmed it would have the pill in production by the end of 2021, ahead of Australian distribution in early 2022.
The pill, similar to the one being produced by Pfizer, contains an inhibitor that prevents the SARS-CoV-2 protease from multiplying. This pill is called Molnupiravir and will be the first of its kind when it hits international shelves.
The antiviral pill will stop close contacts from going to the hospital for preventative treatment. Instead it will give them access to the five day, 10-pill course in their own home.
In its trial studies, the pill showed promise of halving the chances of dying or being hospitalised for severe forms of the virus if contracted.
Ridgeback Biotherapeutics CEO Wendy Holman said the access to convenient and otherwise easy to administer treatment options would revolutionise the international fight against COVID-19.
“With the virus continuing to circulate widely, and because therapeutic options currently available are infused and/or require access to a healthcare facility, antiviral treatments that can be taken at home to keep people with COVID-19 out of the hospital are critically needed,” Ms Holman said.
States in a state
With state capitals of Victoria, NSW and the ACT locked down due to a series of Delta cases, state governments have turned to prevention as a defence.
Victoria hit the record for the highest number of cases for any state since the beginning of the pandemic last year with a peak of 1746 cases on Monday.
New South Whales cases have fallen steadily as the vaccination push continues. On Tuesday a seven-week low of 594 cases was recorded.
ACT recorded 28 cases with a baby in special care testing positive earlier today.
With national first dose vaccination numbers surpassing 80% as of today, travel bans are on the horizon according to the Prime Minister.