The Epoch Times Merck & Co. is set to receive $712 per treatment course for its COVID-19 antiviral pill from the U.S. government—even as it costs a fraction of that amount to produce and is reportedly on track for a price of $12 in India.
The gap between production costs and the price for molnupiravir is wide and emblematic of a problem that some say requires Congress or the U.S. government to intervene by implementing price caps, or utilizing so-called march-in rights. Others, though, warn that such measures would curb innovation and lead to fewer drugs coming onto the market.
Merck filed for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for the oral drug last week, after it said an interim analysis of trial data shows it cut hospitalizations in COVID-19 patients. An FDA advisory panel will consider the drug in November.
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