Drug maker Merck asked U.S. regulators Monday to authorize its pill against COVID-19 in what would add an entirely new and easy-to-use weapon to the world's arsenal against the pandemic.

All other F.D.A. backed treatments against the disease require an I.V. or injection, and if cleared by the Food and Drug Administration Molnupiravir would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19 that people could take at home to reduce their symptoms and speed recovery could prove groundbreaking while also easing the caseload on U.S. hospitals and helping to curb outbreaks in poorer countries with weak health care systems.

The F.D.A will now scrutinize company data on the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

The company reported earlier this month that the pill cut hospitalizations and deaths by half.