Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/wrNvC96y3a4   The media has been heralding the development of molnupiravir, an oral anti-viral agent developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, that reduced the incidence of hospitalization and death for CoVid patients by about 50%.  Let’s look at the fine print about this drug.     The 50% number comes from a Merck phase 3 randomized, controlled, double-blind multi-site global trial of molnupiravir which was stopped at the 90% recruitment level due to “compelling results.” Those participating had positive CoVid PCR tests, mild-to-moderate infections, at least one complicating risk factor such as obesity, diabetes, or older age and began the drug within 5 days of symptom onset.   This orally administered drug inhibits viral replication by causing local mutations in the viral RNA.  While those in the study did not have any worrisome short-term adverse effects, details of side effects of the drug have not been released and there is the possibility that molnupiravir could muta