Molnupiravir to be imported to Sri Lanka next week: Prof. Channa Jayasumana

COLOMBO (News 1st); The State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Prof. Channa Jayasumana says that a final decision on the importation of the antiviral tablet Molnupiravir to Sri Lanka will be taken next week. Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral treatment manufactured for COVID-19 to report clinical trial results. He further stated that many companies including the mother company,  Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ have expressed their interest to provide the tablet to Sri Lanka adding that local agents of these manufacturers are in contact with the State Pharmaceutical Corporation in this regard. Sri Lanka's COVID-19 Technical Committee had granted approval for the use of Molnupiravir to treat COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on 15 November. 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.