https://popularrationalism.substack.com/p/fda-panel-just-barely-recommends
FDA Panel Just Barely Recommends Molnupiravir. Data Show Birth Defects in Rats
Health advisors vote 13 for and 10 against Molnupirivir for COVID-19 Patients. Issues with lack of evidence of efficacy against new variants and birth defects cause doubt.
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The FDA may or may not take the weak recommendation by a health advisory committee. With 43% of the health advisors voting against recommendation, and the data on Molnupiravir lacking, the US awaits the decision by FDA on its recommendation position on Merck’s alleged “wonder drug”.
I had written early on the extraordinary hypocrisy of Molnupiravir, given that the press had advanced a press-release (not a peer-reviewed study) on the efficacy and safety of the drug. Even now, the peer-reviewed literature only includes studies with less than 20 patients for first-in-human and dose variation study.
Merck had decided to do an “interim analysis” of an ongoing clinical trial, and yet compared to the very strong evidence in support of Ivermectin in the reduction of hospitalization and risk of death (See https://ivmmeta.com).
So what made the 10 health advisors skeptical?
For one, data from studies in pregnant rats showed birth defects.
From CBS News:
“Given the large potential population affected, the risk of widespread effects on potential birth defects has not been adequately studied,” said Dr. Sankar Swaminathan of the University of Utah School of Medicine, who voted against the drug.”
With another example of hypocrisy, one panelist said that if the FDA restricts the use of molnupiravir in pregnant women, they would be denying women choice.
“I don’t think you can ethically tell a woman with COVID-19 that she can’t have the drug if she’s decided that’s what she needs,” said Cragan, a panel member and staffer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I think the final decision has to come down to the individual woman and her provider.”
Read that again.
When FDA panelists start considering the level of evidence available for their favorites pharma partners, and start arguing for informed consent and health freedom when it comes to vaccines, we can start taking them seriously.
Until then, they are just going through the motions and abusing the public trust and they, and the FDA’s decisions, do not deserve our respect or attention.
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**Comment**
And yet, that same woman, or man, or even a medical doctor can not “decide” that they need ivermectin or HCQ because, well – that’s just bad and regulatory groups will pounce upon you. Hypocrisy indeed.
Read this article on a comparison between Molnupiravir and ivermectin.
- The cost of a complete five-day course of Molnupiravir is $700 — or $70 per pill. That amounts to a 4,000% markup over what it costs Merck to make the drug.
- Citing 2013 prices provided by the WHO, Campbell said a five-day course of ivermectin — 10 3mg pills — costs $0.53. (However, at today’s U.S. prices, 10 3mg pills cost about $39).
India and Argentina no longer fear COVID, they simply treat it. Sub-Saharan Africa is void of COVID due to widespread river blindness which was brought under control by insecticides and by large-scale distribution of ivermectin since 1989.
But, the only drug offered U.S. patients is the expensive, worthless drug remdesivir which caused more than 500 deaths in the first year of usage. There have been 20 deaths in 19 years of ivermectin usage. Source
- The FDA, spurred by “multiple” reports of ivermectin ‘poisoning,’ lied when it put out a post on it causing “serious harm, seizures, coma, and even death”. When the author inquired on how many is “multiple,” she was told FOUR. Yet, the FDA had no trouble approving remdesivir which has caused far more deaths.
Madison Area Lyme Support Group 