Govt to approve production, use of Covid-19 drug molnupiravir in Bangladesh

The government is going to approve production and use of the new Covid-19 antiviral drug, molnupiravir in the country.

Almost all the top pharmaceutical companies in the country have sought approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) to produce the drug, according to sources.

The list includes Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Renata, Incepta, Healthcare, Acme and Radiant, said the sources.

Most of the leading pharmaceutical companies have already received recipe approval and if all goes well, the companies will be allowed to produce and market the pill after completing all regulatory formalities.

Britain became the first country in the world to approve the potentially game-changing Covid-19 antiviral pill, jointly developed by US-based Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

In Bangladesh, the manufacturing plants of Eskayef, Square, Incepta, Renata and Acme are approved by the drug regulator of UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

There was no specific medication to treat Covid-19 until now. The drug was approved by the UK government four days ago. The use of this drug will reduce the need for hospitalisation and death.