The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) has authorised two local pharmaceutical companies for marketing Molnupiravir, the first oral Covid-19 antiviral drug.

Major General Md Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the DGDA, came up with the information at a press briefing on Tuesday.

“DGDA has approved Molnupiravir for emergency use but it’s not an alternative to vaccine. People must take Covid jabs. This oral medicine has to be taken as per the advice of physicians,” he said.

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“So far, 10 pharmaceutical companies have sought permission for marketing and we have authorised Beximco Pharmaceuticals and Eskayef Pharmaceuticals for marketing. The eight other companies awaiting approval are Square, General, Beacon, Reneta, Insepta, Acme, Health Care and Popular pharmaceuticals,” he added.

The DGDA Director General said it is a five-dose course and people have to take eight pills each day in five days.

Already Molnupiravir is available in the local market and controlling Covid-19 will be easier if it is used, he said.

“The medicine can reduce the mortality rate and risk of hospitalization by half. No one below 18 can take the oral antiviral medicine,” said Mahbubur.

The first pill- molnupiravir, designed to treat symptomatic Covid, has recently been approved by the UK medicines regulator, according to a BBC report.

Also read: Merck asks US FDA to authorize promising anti-COVID pill

The tablet - molnupiravir - will be given twice a day to vulnerable patients recently diagnosed with the disease.

In clinical trials, the pill, originally developed to treat flu, cut the risk of hospitalisation or death by about half.

First oral treatment

Molnupiravir, developed by the US drug companies Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, is the first antiviral medication for Covid which can be taken as a pill rather than injected or given intravenously.