MORE than 400 people in Northern Ireland have signed up to take part in a study probing the effectiveness of an anti-viral drug in treating Covid-19.
Over-50s or younger adults with pre-existing conditions are eligible for the trial if they test positive and have experienced symptoms in the previous five days.
Volunteers will be given the potentially life-saving drug, Molnupiravir, to take in pill format at home.
More than 12,000 people across the UK have already signed up.
Co-clinical lead of the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network, Claire Leathem, said :"Of course what we don't know is how effective is it for Covid, especially in a vaccinated population and we are hoping that these antivirals will be of great benefit.
"The only way we can do that is through this trial, there is no point in anybody taking an antiviral without us really knowing - 'is it going to make a difference?'"
The anti-viral drug was licensed for use by regulators in 2021 after early trials showed its benefit in reducing the risk of serious illness or death.
Researchers hope that more people in the north will participate in the latest study.
Fiona Loud, from Kidney Care UK, said antiviral treatments would be "a vital tool to give more protection to people who are most at risk from Covid-19, including those with kidney disease".
Information for those who wish to sign up is available on the Northern Ireland Department of Health website.
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/sign-world-leading-covid-19-antiviral-drugs-study-swann
