UNICEF And Merck Agree To Supply 3 Million Packages Of COVID-19 Medicines

ILLUSTRATION/UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - Merck & Co Inc and its pharmaceutical partner, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics on Tuesday said they had signed an agreement with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the supply of up to three million packets of anti-COVID-19 pills.

Merck will supply the antiviral drug, molnupiravir, to UNICEF during the first half of 2022 for distribution to more than 100 low- and middle-income countries, once a license is granted, the company said.

As reported by Antara, Tuesday, January 18, the pill received a permit for use from the United States Food and Drug Administration in December.

The drug made by Merck has also received similar permits in a number of countries, including India, Mexico, and the UK.

Many countries have signed the purchase of molnupiravir with Merck.

Merck this month said it expects molnupiravir to be effective in treating disease caused by the highly contagious variant, Omicron.

This variant of the coronavirus has caused a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates worldwide.