4 To Know Merck Sees $1 Billion COVID Pill Order From U.S. Government On the pandemic front, Merck (NYSE: MRK) appears to be making headway with its COVID-19 antiviral pill, molnupiravir. Naturally, this could put MRK stock on investors’ radars given the rising need for active treatments for severe COVID-19 cases. Of course, another key factor weighing in on investors today would be the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.