Govt issues EUA for Merck’s COVID-19 pill in India

Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) permission by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has been issued for the launch of Merck and Ridgeback’s Molnupiravir in the country. DCGI, based on the review of clinical data of Molnupiravir, has approved the drug for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults for restricted emergency use in India. Cipla plans to launch Molnupiravir under the brand name Cipmolnu, while Torrent Pharma is introducing it under the brand name Molnutor, following DCGI’s approval. Further, Sun Pharma will be manufacturing and marketing the drug under the brand name Molxvir. Earlier in 2021, Cipla, Torrent Pharma, Sun Pharma and a few others had entered into a nonexclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD) to manufacture and supply Molnupiravir in India and to over 100 low and middleincome countries (LMICs).