
TOKYO -- A Japanese government expert panel gave the green light to Merck's antiviral pill molnupiravir on Friday, making it the country's first oral treatment against COVID.
Molnupiravir so far has been authorized for use in the U.S., U.K. and the Philippines, among others. Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia have also expressed interest in the drug, according to Reuters, though France has canceled its order.