Britain has become the first country in the world to authorize the use of Merck's antiviral pill to treat COVID-19. Sajid Javid, the UK's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said the drug will be "a game-changer for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed." The drug, known as molnupiravir, was approved based on clinical studies that showed the pill reduced the risk of hospitalization or death for at-risk adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 cases by about 50%. Regulators recommend that the drug be used "as soon as possible" following a positive coronavirus test and within five days of symptoms. Britain has ordered enough supplies of the antiviral for 480,000 people from Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. Distribution deals have already been struck with multiple wealthy countries such as the US, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia and Singapore. Although Merck asked the FDA for emergency approval of its COVID-19 pill in October, the agency's advisory committee will wait until Nov. 30 to review the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

The news was similarly covered across the spectrum. Some reports noted that Britain has become "known during the pandemic for its speed in authorizing vaccines." Left-rated outlets were more likely to highlight the criticisms from advocacy organizations for "leaving out upper-middle-income countries hit hard by the pandemic." Some right-rated outlets emphasized how health officials are still unclear on how the drug will affect vaccinated people, which "could over or underestimate its true efficacy in a highly vaccinated population."