Merck & Co’s oral antiviral for COVID-19 is being called a “game-changer”, as it would be the first pill available to treat early infection. In another first, the company has agreed to a licensing deal that will allow the drug to be made and sold cheaply in 105 low-income countries. We ask Sangeeta Shashikant, Programme Director on Development & Intellectual Property, Third World Network, whether this move will be enough to make the drug accessible, especially when rich countries look set to hoard supplies amid already existing vaccine inequity.

Listen to Part 1 here, where we explore how molnupiravir works and how it could change the way COVID-19 is managed.

Image credit: The Intercept

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann and Tee Shiao Eek

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Tags:  The Bigger Picture,  Health & Living,  COVID-19,  Merck,  molnupiravir,  antiviral,  remdesivir,  equity,  generic,  intellectual property,  medicines patent pool,  IP waiver,