PHNOM PENH: The Working Group for the Management, Distribution and Supply of Strategic Medicines for Combating Covid-19 of the Ministry of Health has decided to allow citizens to purchase up to 10 doses, or boxes, of the Covid-19 treatment medication, Molnupiravir, at US $50 per dose.

In a statement issued by the National Commission for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, 11 March, the working group decided that the new terms of sale for Molnupiravir will start on Monday, 14 March, at the office of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and Cambodia Post Branch.

In addition to allowing citizens to buy up to 10 doses, the team has also decided to allow private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and sub-pharmacies to purchase up to 100 doses, but these institutions must have a valid business license and are unable to resell the medicine for more than US $60 per box. Additionally, the treatment drugs can be re-ordered at least once a week.

The statement also warned that the working group will cooperate with the competent authorities to take strict action against any private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, sub-pharmacies or resellers who exceed the stated maximum resell price of US $60.

Molnupiravir is a product of the pharmaceutical company Merck in the United States, developed as a treatment drug for adults with mild to moderate Covid-19. The drug has been certified by the Ministry of Health as safe and highly effective for the treatment of Covid-19 and was first approved for use on 3 November 2021.