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Indonesia in talks to buy Merck's COVID-19 antiviral pill
Results from a large clinical trial this month showed that the pill, made with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, cut hospitalisations and deaths by 50 percent. Merck asked for an emergency use clearance from the United States earlier this month.
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This handout photo obtained May 26, 2021, courtesy of Pharmaceutical company Merck shows capsules of the experimental antiviral drug Molnupiravir. Merck said on October 1, 2021, it will seek authorization in the US for molnupiravir for Covid-19, after the pill showed (AFP/Handout)
I
ndonesia is "finalising" a deal with Merck & Co to procure its experimental antiviral pills, named molnupiravir, to treat COVID-19 ailments, its health minister said on Monday.
Results from a large clinical trial this month showed that the pill, made with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, cut hospitalisations and deaths by 50 percent. Merck asked for an emergency use clearance from the United States earlier this month.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told a news conference that the deal is being finalised so that the first shipment of molnupiravir may come at the end of the year after a visit to the company in the US.
"So that we have enough stock to withstand a potential next wave," he said, adding that Indonesia and Merck are in talks to build a production plant in Indonesia to produce raw material.
Budi did not say how many pills are being procured. Merck did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Merck has signed supply deals for the drug with Indonesia's neighbors Malaysia and Singapore, as well as Britain.
Indonesia was Asia's COVID-19 epicentre in July, largely fuelled by the virulent Delta variant, although cases and deaths have largely plummeted recently.
The government said on Monday it is anticipating a potential infection spike brought by the upcoming Christmas holidays.
