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 The money will support efforts to develop and make generic versions
of what could become the first oral antiviral medication for the
disease if it wins regulatory approval, the foundation said in a
statement.
"Today's commitment will ensure that more people in more countries
get access to the promising drug molnupiravir, but it's not the end
of the story - we need other donors, including foundations and
governments, to act," Co-Chair Melinda French Gates said https://refini.tv/3DXWbD2.
Merck is developing the antiviral pill along with partner Ridgeback
Biotherapeutics, to treat coronavirus infections that range from
mild to moderate in severity and sought U.S. emergency use
authorisation for the drug this month.
The step comes as low- and middle-income countries struggle to
secure life-saving vaccines and treatments for COVID-19,
particularly in Africa, where just about 5% of the population is
immunised.
[to top of second column] |
 On Tuesday, Reuters reported
that an effort led by the World Health
Organization to win fair access for poorer
countries aims to get antiviral drugs for as
little as $10 per course for people with mild
symptoms. Merck's drug is likely
to be one of them.
Launched in 2000, the non-profit Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is
the United States' largest private philanthropic foundation and one
of the world's biggest, pouring about $1.9 billion into the fight
against the pandemic since last year.
More than 241.58 million people have been reported infected with the
coronavirus worldwide, and more than 5.1 million have died, a
Reuters tally shows.
(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence
Fernandez)
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