“We have to remember that this drug has major safety concerns,“ Balram Bhargava, head of the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research, said. theSun theSundaily coronavirus Omicron Merck India
An experimental COVID-19 treatment pill, called molnupiravir and being developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is seen in this undated handout photo released by Merck & Co Inc REUTERSPIX: India has not added Merck's COVID-19 pill to its national treatment protocol for the disease due to known safety concerns that have restricted its use elsewhere, a senior health official told a media briefing on Wednesday.
“It can cause teratogenicity, mutagenicity and it also can cause cartilage damage and be damaging to muscles. More importantly, contraception will have to be used for three months if this drug is given because the child born could be problematic with teratogenic influences.” Merck and Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd , which plans to launch a generic version of the pill early next week, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Bhargava said Indian health experts had twice deliberated on the Merck drug - which the country's regulators approved late last month and goes on sale on the private market from next week.