COVID-19 drug reduces recovery time but not hospitalisations

New results show an antiviral did not reduce hospitalisations in higher risk, vaccinated adults, but it did make them feel better.

The first results from the ongoing PANORAMIC trial have been published in The Lancet. They are the work of researchers at the University of Southampton, University of Oxford and Cardiff University.

The trial is jointly led by Prof Paul Little at the University of Southampton and Prof Chris Butler at the University of Oxford. It is investigating the effectiveness of antiviral treatments for COVID-19. GP practices across Wessex are supporting it.

Participants felt better

Higher risk, vaccinated adults with COVID-19 in the community (e.g. at GP practices) took part. The researchers gave half of them molnupiravir as well as usual care, and half usual care alone.

Molnupiravir did not reduce hospitalisations or deaths. But it was associated with a faster recovery time and reduced viral load. Those who received it reported feeling better than those who did not.

Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton and co-Chief Investigator of PANORAMIC, said:

“PANORAMIC is one of the most remarkable studies to have come from primary care, not only in highly innovative recruitment methods during an ongoing pandemic, but in providing timely, clear evidence for patients, their doctors and policy makers for a new antiviral drug.

“It has demonstrated that molnupiravir is effective in reducing viral load and helping symptoms, but with no benefit in reducing hospital admissions in a largely vaccinated population.”

PANORAMIC is led by the University of Oxford and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The study will now continue to investigate new antiviral medications such as Paxlovid. For more information or to enrol, please visit panoramictrial.org.