KUALA LUMPUR: Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the developers of molnupiravir, the anti-Covid-19 pill have yet to submit their registration application to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told the Dewan Rakyat that MSD would instead be submitting their applications in 2022.
"As the government is tied to a confidentiality agreement with the drug producers, further particulars related to it cannot be revealed and this includes the price of the antiviral (drug)," Khairy added.
He said the agreement was signed on Oct 4 to enable early negotiations with the Health Ministry.
Khairy issued the update in a written parliamentary reply to Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent) who asked the minister on details of the agreement signed with MSD and when the ministry would present the terms and conditions of the deal.
On the financial implications of boosters, Khairy reiterated that 87.9 million vaccine doses have been procured via direct negotiations with the Covax facility for equal access to vaccines which involved a financial implication of RM4.64 billion over 2021 and 2022.
"At the same time, the government is considering carrying out the use of antivirals to treat Covid-19 and there have been a number of companies that have presented offers and we are studying the technical aspects."