While awaiting Health Canada approval, Merck has announced it intends to produce its antiviral COVID-19 pill in Whitby.

The drug company has invested $19-million to increase production at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s facility in the east-end of the GTA.

The drug, one of the first treatment for non-hospitalized COVID patients, works by block the enzyme essential for viral replication.

Merck’s preliminary clinical trial showed the pill reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 50% in patients with mild or moderate COVID.

However, an updated news release from the drug company late last month says the reduced risk was actually lower, at 30%.

The federal government announced last week Canada had a signed agreement to buy 500,000 courses of the drug with an option to purchase another 500,000 if Health Canada approves.