Star Business Report

A fifth drugmaker -- Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd -- received authorisation yesterday for the emergency production and marketing of molnupiravir, said a senior official of the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA).

Earlier, the DGDA gave approval to Eskayef, Beximco, Square and Renata to make the anti-Covid pill.

Five other drugmakers are in line to get the same approval, said Md Salauddin, director of the DGDA.

Of those, the ACI received permission to produce molnupiravir, according to a letter issued by the DGDA yesterday.

The company will now need to submit a sample along with relevant documents and if it passes the quality test, the DGDA will provide emergency use and marketing authorisation.

The ACI will roll out the drug under the brand name “Melovir”.

Developed by American pharmaceutical Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, the pills are designed to be taken as soon as possible after a positive coronavirus test and within five days of the onset of symptoms.

During that time the virus replicates rapidly and the immune system is yet to mount a defence.

Patients need to take four capsules twice a day for five days, with the full course costing Tk 2,000.