This handout photo obtained May 26, 2021, courtesy of Pharmaceutical company Merck shows capsules of the experimental antiviral drug Molnupiravir. AFP PHOTOUpdated at 12:11 amTHE Philippines is among the 105 countries being considered for the more affordable version of Merck's anti-Covid pill in deals announced on Thursday by a UN-backed organization. The global Medicines Patent Pool signed agreements with 27 manufacturers to produce the oral antiviral medicine molnupiravir, for supply in low- and-middle-income countries. The sub-licenses allow manufacturers to produce the raw ingredients for molnupiravir, and/or the finished drug itself. Five manufacturers will focus on producing the raw ingredients; 13 will produce both raw ingredients and molnupiravir itself; while nine will simply produce the finished drug.

Source: Manila Times January 21, 2022 16:37 UTC