Molnupiravir, the
oral antiviral COVID-19 drug designed by pharmaceutical firm Merck, may receive
emergency-use authorisation in India within “days”, according to Dr Ram Vishwakarma,
chairman of the COVID Strategy Group. The pill, the first of its kind for COVID
treatment, is meant for adults at risk of a severe form COVID-19 and may help
prevent hospitalisation. Another COVID pill, Paxlovoid developed by Pfizer, may
also receive authorisation in some time.

Also Read | In battle of COVID pill, how Merck fares against Pfizer

The two pills are
expected to make a major difference as India moves from the pandemic to endemic
stage, the Vishwakarma said adding, “as we move from pandemic to endemic, these
are the ones which are going to be more important than vaccination”.

The senior doctor,
who was speaking to NDTV, further said that the COVID pills were the final
nails in the coffin of the virus by science. “I think Molnupiravir will be
already available to us. Five companies are sitting with the drug manufacturer…I
think any day we will have approval of Molnupiravir.”

Also Read | In battle of COVID pill, how Merck fares against Pfizer

He added that a
decision on the drug is expected within the next one month. Merck, on its part,
is said to have come into touch with five firms and given them license to make
the drug. Vishwakarma expects Pfizer to follow suit.

Pfizer’s COVID
pill Paxvloid is reported to cut hospitalisations and death due to COVID-19 by 89%
in vulnerable adults. “Pfizer will have to utilize the Indian capacity to
manufacture the drugs that are required for global use,” the doctor said.

Also Read | Merck agrees to let other pharma firms make COVID pill

As for pricing,
Vishwakarma said the pill will be prices far lower than $700 — the price the US
is considering. He said that the price in the US is expected to be high because
“in America it is costly for various other reasons and not for the
manufacturing cost”.

He added that when
the government of India decides to buy the pill, it will buy in bulk from the
companies and adopt a dual pricing system and a staggered pricing system.