The first pill to treat COVID has been approved in the UK today, in what is being termed a “historic” moment.
Designed to treat symptomatic COVID, the pill – called molnupiravir – will be given twice a day to high-risk patients that have recently been diagnosed with the virus.
Originally developed to treat flu, the pill has performed well in trials – cutting the risk of death or hospitalisation in half.
It can be taken at home, and is designed specifically to help those who are immunosuppressed and highly vulnerable to the illness – hopefully mitigating syptoms before illness progresses to hospitalisation stages.
It’s hoped by its developers Merck that the tablet will continue to be equally effective against future evolutions of Covid.
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The UK government has not revealed how much its contract with Merck is worth, but it is being reported elsewhere that the US has spent roughly $1.2 billion for 1.7 million courses.
The UK government, meanwhile, has ordered 480,000 courses for the end of the year.
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BREAKING NEWS: A #COVID19 antiviral that can be taken at home has been approved for use across the UK by @MHRAgovuk
Molnupiravir will soon be offered to patients in a national study to help protect those most at risk from the virus over the winter.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) November 4, 2021
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement: “Today is a historic day for our country, as the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an antiviral that can be taken at home for Covid.”
The tablet has been developed by the US drug companies Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
It targets an enzyme used by the virus to make copies of itself, and prevents it from multiplying by introducing errors into the genetic code.
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Merck chief executive June Raine described the new pill as “another therapeutic to add to our armoury against Covid-19”.
“It is the world’s first approved antiviral for this disease that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously,” she said.
“This is important, because it means it can be administered outside of a hospital setting, before Covid-19 has progressed to a severe stage.”
Feature Image – Merck
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
4th November 2021 
