Studying COVID-19 antiviral pills

How to enroll in South Florida trial and who’s eligible

South Florida researchers are studying whether an antiviral pill approved to be used on people who have COVID-19 also can be used to prevent someone from getting infected.

Three South Florida clinics are participating in the trial that looks at the safety and effectiveness of taking Merck’s molnupiravir when someone is exposed to COVID-19 by a person in their household, including a child. To qualify, trial participants 18 or older need to arrive within five days of being exposed, and they must be unvaccinated and have not had COVID-19.

Researchers say the criteria make it simpler to learn how effective the pill is at preventing infection.

“We need to show a statistically significant benefit to this approach,” said Dr. Julio Vijil, principal investigator with Velocity Clinical Research in Hallandale Beach. “We need people who are going to get sick from COVID-19 and if you mix in people who are vaccinated, that could greatly reduce the probability people will have significant outcomes.”

Around the world, 189 research sites, including eight in Florida, are part of the MOVe-AHEAD trial that will run through August. Recruiting began in late 2021, just prior to the omicron wave.

“Vaccine rates in South Florida are pretty good so that makes it a challenge,” said Vijil, adding that he has had about a dozen participants thus far. The other two South Florida sites are in Hialeah and Miami.

The Food and Drug Administration in December issued an emergency use authorization for Merck’s molnupiravir. It’s a fiveday pill course when someone tests positive

MERCK & CO. This undated photo shows Merck & Co.’s new antiviral medication molnupiravir, which is now being studied for COVID-19 prevention.