: Merck’s COVID-19 pill could bring in up to $7 billion in sales next year

Merck & Co. Inc. predicts it will make between $5 billion and $7 billion in sales of its potentially game-changing new oral COVID-19 drug in 2022, assuming it’s granted regulatory authorization this year. 

Merck’s MRK stock closed Thursday at $86.55, its highest price over the last year, after the company shared details about its plans for the antiviral during a third-quarter earnings call in which Wall Street analysts peppered executives with questions about the drug.

The…