The plan to roll out Merck & Co's promising antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 risks repeating the inequities of vaccine distribution, potentially leaving the nations with the greatest need once again at the back of the line, international health groups said.

For example, only about five percent of Africa’s population is immunised, creating an urgent need for therapeutics that could keep people out of hospitals. That compares with more than a 70 percent inoculation rate in most wealthy nations.

Merck on Oct 11 applied for US emergency clearance of the first pill for Covid-19 after it cut hospitalisations and deaths...