Nov 06, Colombo: Prof. Channa Jayasumana, State Minister of Drug Production, Supply and Regulation, said the recommendations required for the use of Molnupiravir, the US-made antiviral drug for Covid-19, in Sri Lanka will be received next week.

Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral medication to be approved for the treatment of Covid-19.

Although the drug was submitted for the approval of the Director General of Health Services, it has not yet been approved, the Minister said.

The Minister said that a written notification has been issued on October 11 to obtain the approval of the Director General of Health Services for this drug and the recommendation regarding this drug will be received soon.

The Minister said inquiring as to whether this drug should be used in Sri Lanka, if so, on what date and in what quantity, he had again requested the expert committee on Covid-19 of the Ministry of Health yesterday to promptly convey its opinion on the use of the drug.

The UK Thursday (04) became the first country in the world to approve Molnupiravir developed by U.S.-based Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.