On Dec. 29, 2022, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)’s Molnupiravir Capsules (brand name: Lagevrio) for COVID-19 treatment.
The antiviral small-molecule drug is approved for treating patients who have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infections and high risks to develop into severe conditions. The risks can be advanced age, obesity or overweightness, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), active cancer, etc.
MSD has authorized Sinopharm Group with the exclusive right to import and sell Lagevrio in the mainland Chinese market.
Lagevrio’s price in China has not been revealed. In the US, one course costs 700 USD (circa 4,818 yuan).
So far, China NMPA has approved four COVID-19 treatments:
Drug | Administration Route | Marketing Authorization Holder | Approval Date | Price for One Course |
Amubarvimab/Romlusevimab Combination Therapy (BRII-196/BRII-198) | Injection | Brii Biosciences | Dec. 8, 2021 | Brii Biosciences revealed the price scope: ≤ 10,000 yuan |
Nirmatrelvir Tablets and Ritonavir Tablets (Paxlovid) | Oral | Pfizer | Feb 11, 2022 | 2,300 yuan |
Azvudine Tablets | Oral | Genuine Biotech | July 25, 2022 | 540 yuan |
Molnupiravir Capsules (Lagevrio) | Oral | MSD | Dec. 29, 2022 | Not revealed |
Related:
- China's First Homegrown COVID-19 Pill, Azvudine, is Priced at 270 Yuan Per Bottle
- China Approves Pfizer's Paxlovid, Encouraging COVID-19 Drug Development
