Important perspective by @michaelzlin on the new Merck pill that works by mutagenizing SARS-CoV-2:
"The FDA and Merck have essentially engaged the public in a gamble.. They are betting.. there won’t be even one case of a lucky hit that creates a more capable or evasive virus."
"The FDA and Merck have essentially engaged the public in a gamble.. They are betting.. there won’t be even one case of a lucky hit that creates a more capable or evasive virus."
https://twitter.com/michaelzlin/status/1474405008456126465
@michaelzlin His free-to-read thread providing more detail is here:
https://twitter.com/michaelzlin/status/1473818592021934081
I have not heard a single scientist friend or colleague say they have good feelings about this Merck pill.
I also worry that it will be given to people for whom there may be adverse effects, e.g., women who don't know they're pregnant, couples who are conceiving.
I also worry that it will be given to people for whom there may be adverse effects, e.g., women who don't know they're pregnant, couples who are conceiving.
The Merck treatment consists of a 5-day, 40-pill course. If patients don't finish the course, they risk passing SARS2 mutants to others.
This gives me a headache seeing how people already abuse antibiotics even in the face of the known threat of mounting antibiotic resistance.
This gives me a headache seeing how people already abuse antibiotics even in the face of the known threat of mounting antibiotic resistance.
The Merck pill study results are also inconsistent:
"In the first group, participants’ rate of hospitalization or death dropped by half if they took molnupiravir rather than a placebo. But in the second group, there was almost no difference in outcome.."
nature.com/articles/d4158…
"In the first group, participants’ rate of hospitalization or death dropped by half if they took molnupiravir rather than a placebo. But in the second group, there was almost no difference in outcome.."
nature.com/articles/d4158…
Seeing as how we still have antibody treatments and the Pfizer pill which works much better (89% prevention of hospitalization) & through a different mechanism, is there a need to gamble with the Merck pill?
Maybe only if hospitals are overwhelmed and out of better options.
Maybe only if hospitals are overwhelmed and out of better options.
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