"Study reveals link between Merck's COVID drug and viral mutations that spread"

A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that the antiviral drug molnupiravir, used to treat COVID-19, may be linked to specific mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Researchers found mutation signatures closely associated with patients treated with molnupiravir, and some of these mutations were advantageous to the virus and showed evidence of onward transmission. While there is no evidence that molnupiravir has contributed to the development of major variants like omicron, the study highlights the possibility of persistent antiviral-induced mutations and the need to weigh the risks and benefits of the drug.