Dr. Reddy’s to Price Generic Pill of Merck’s COVID-19 Antiviral at 50 Cents

Generics giant Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has reportedly priced its generic version of Merck’s COVID-19 oral antiviral, molnupiravir, at approximately 50 cents a pill.

Shortly before the new year, Dr. Reddy’s won Emergency Use Authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India allowing the company to produce its generic, which will be sold under the brand name Molflu in India. The drug will reportedly be made available to Indian pharmacies starting next week.

Dr. Reddy’s and Merck previously struck a licensing pact enabling the generics maker to supply molnupiravir to India and more than 100 low- and middle-income nations.

In October 2021, Merck forged a licensing deal with the Medicines Patent Pool, a United Nations-endorsed public health organization serving the developing world to expand access to the much-needed COVID-19 pill.