Cipla to launch covid pill Molnupiravir in India, here is what you need to know about the drug

India has granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to antiviral Covid-19 pill molnupiravir. Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate covid at high risk of developing severe disease.

The pill is administered as four 200 milligram capsules taken orally every 12 hours for five days, for a total of 40 capsules. Molnupiravir is not authorised for use for longer than five consecutive days.

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Cipla plans to launch Molnupiravir under the brand name Cipmolnu. The pharma informed exchanges stating, "Cipla will soon make Cipmolnu® 200mg capsules available at all leading pharmacies and Covid treatment centers across the country. The Company has adequate manufacturing capacities and a solid distribution mechanism in place to ensure speedy access to this effective treatment pan India."

The drug developed by US-based biotechnology company Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in collaboration with US Pharma giant Merck will now be manufactured by 13 Indian drug manufacturers as per Health Ministry.