Thirteen Advisory Board members were in favor of approving the drug. Ten members were opposed.
A majority of members of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration Advisory Board on Tuesday spoke in favor of approving the use of a drug developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics to treat COVID-19.
13 experts were in favor of this, 10 were against. The council's recommendation will be reviewed by government officials and then by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The manufacturer has asked the regulator for permission to use the drug to treat the new mild to moderate coronavirus in adults at risk of becoming severe.