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Britain becomes the first country to approve COVID-19 antiviral pill

This undated image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. The drugmaker has said its experimental pill for people sick with COVID-19 reduced hospitalizations and deaths. (Merck & Co. via AP)

The pill was conditionally authorised for adults 18 and over on Thursday

Britain is now the first country in the world to approve the COVID-19 antiviral pill.

Developed by U.S. companies Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, the drug is aimed at those with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Patients need to also be more susceptible to developing severe illness by having at least one factor that puts them at a higher risk such as obesity, heart disease or older age diabetes.

The anti-viral medication is to be administered soon after being diagnosed with COVID and less than 5 days after symptoms begin.

This comes as Britain faces yet another wave with daily cases reaching around 40,000.

Meanwhile, U-S advisers will soon meet to vote on whether the drug should also be authorised within America.

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