[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Ooops, got my medications mixed up:

Australia negotiating for order of anti-viral pill Mulnupiravir
The Federal Health Minister says Australia is in the final stages of pre-ordering an anti-viral pill that slashes the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19.

Greg Hunt says the government is negotiating with pharmaceutical giant Merck for supplies of its pill called Mulnupiravir.

The drug is yet to be approved for use in the United States, but early trials have shown positive results.

Mr Hunt says he's encouraged Merck to also apply for approval from Australia's drug regulator.

"Our expection is it would be available it if gets through all of the clinical trials, the registration process and then supply, in the first half of next year and then I would hope we might even be able to ensure it is available in the first quarter of next year," he said.