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Nov 4, 2021 4:36 PM - The Canadian Press

UK becomes first country to approve antiviral COVID-19 pill

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Antiviral pill

Britain is the first country to grant a conditional authorization to pharmaceutical giant Merck's coronavirus antiviral, the first pill shown to successfully treat COVID-19.

It's intended to be taken at home twice a day for five days by people with mild to moderate COVID-19.

An antiviral pill that reduces symptoms and speeds recovery could prove groundbreaking, easing caseloads on hospitals and helping to curb outbreaks in poorer countries with fragile health systems.

The pill is also pending review by regulators in the United States and the European Union.

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