UK authorizes MERCK'S COVID-19 Pill. Britain on Thursday granted conditional authorization for Merck's coronavirus antiviral, the first pill shown to successfully treat COVID-19. It is the first country to approve the treatment, although it was not immediately clear how quickly the pill would be available. The drug, known as molnupiravir, Merck announced preliminary results last month showing its drug cut hospitalizations and deaths by half among patients with early COVID-19 symptoms. Watch the video to know more.