The anti-viral pill molnupiravir will not be extremely expensive once it becomes available in the Philippines, a local official of the drug developer MSD Pharmaceuticals said on Monday.
The statement comes after reports in the United States that the 5-day course treatment of molnupiravir would cost $700, or roughly ₱35,000.
MSD, also known as Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in the United States and Canada, signed voluntary licensing agreements with seven Indian generic manufacturers. Under a voluntary licensing, manufacturers will be able to develop generic versions of the medicine. Dr. Tamesis said this would greatly help the supply and improve the price point.
“The fact that we have all seven companies potentially who may all come in here...if they will be competing in the marketplace, hopefully the market now drive the price to a point where it is most affordable,” he added.
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