A Pill That Could Prevent COVID-19 Deaths Has Been Approved In U.K.

The world’s first pill designed to treat symptomatic COVID-19 has been approved in the U.K.

Developed by Merck, the antiviral medication molnupiravir was found to be “safe and effective” at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death in people with mild COVID-19 who have at least one risk factor for developing serious illness (like older age, obesity, or heart disease), according to the British government on Thursday.

British health secretary Sajid Javid said the approval marks a “historic” day in the fight against COVID-19.

There’s no word if or when the same pill could be approved in the U.S.