Coronavirus

Japan expects to approve Merck's COVID pill in December

First oral medication expected to work on omicron variant

20211203N molnupiravir REUTERS

Merck's pill molnupiravir has been shown in trials to reduce deaths and hospitalizations by 30% among mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers
December 4, 2021 00:59 JST

TOKYO -- Japan plans to approve Merck's coronavirus pill for sale by the end of this month through an expedited process for priority drug candidates, the regulators said Friday.

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