KJ: Negotiations initiated to procure Merck's experimental Covid-19 pill

An experimental Covid-19 derug called molnupiravir is being developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP. - Handout

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has initiated negotiations to procure a new drug to treat Covid-19 patients, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

"As we transition to living with Covid-19, we will be adding new, innovative treatment options to our arsenal in addition to vaccines. I have already started negotiating for Malaysia to procure these effective drugs that have gone through clinical trials," the Health Minister said in a tweet on Saturday (Oct 2)

He also attached a link to an article about the drug from Merck & Co, who claimed that its experimental oral Covid-19 antiviral drug, molnupiravir, is likely to be effective against known variants of the coronavirus, including the dominant, highly transmissible Delta.