Oral Covid-19 pills seeks regulatory approval in India; South Africa to start with trials

Nagpur: Drugs manufacturer Optimus Pharma is seeking domestic regulatory approval to produce a generic version of Merck & Co’s oral COvid-19 treatment, company’s top executive told Reuters.

Managing director of the drug giant, D Srinivasa Reddy said if at all granted permission for emergency use, the company could scale up the production up to 80 million capsules per month, with a target price of 40 cents per capsule. The treatment would comprise of near about 40 capsules, meaning the total cost would be around $16.

In yet another development, as per Oramed pharmaceutical company, South Africa has approved a clinical trial for the Covid-19 vaccine pill on Friday. Its subsidiary Oravax Medical has received the clearance to begin enrolling volunteers for the oral vaccine trial, according to the company’s statement.

South Africa has hosted several vaccination trials, however, this would be the first oral trial in the country. The company in another statement also claimed that it doesn’t require a medical professional to administer the oral medication. “They are more desirable to the potential recipients because they do not involve injections,” it further added.