[앵커]
In the midst of this, a US pharmaceutical company that developed an edible COVID-19 treatment said it would open its patents so low-income countries could make generic drugs.
There are many voices against it, but there are also many who question its effectiveness.
This is Washington Correspondent Lee Jung-min.
[리포트]
Molnupiravir is an oral COVID-19 treatment developed by Merck, an American pharmaceutical company.
Even before approval from the US and Europe, Korea and other urgent countries are already in pre-purchase negotiations.
[롭 데이비스/머크 CEO/2일 : “몰누피라비르는 코로나19로 인한 입원이나 사망 위험을 현저하게 줄일 수 있습니다.”]
The US, who bought 1.7 million units, agreed to pay 700 dollars for a set taken twice a day for 5 days.
It is close to 40 times the cost.
Merck, which has been criticized for being another extortionist using Corona 19, has made a surprise announcement that it will open its patents to low-income countries.
It is a plan to allow pharmaceutical companies in 105 low- and middle-income countries to manufacture generic drugs through UN-funded medical organizations.
All of Africa, Pakistan and Cambodia were included.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also said it will not accept royalties while the COVID-19 is designated as an international emergency.
The international community welcomed the first voluntary patent opening related to COVID-19.
The WHO, in a statement, called it a positive step towards the widespread deployment of therapeutics.
However, there are many voices that question its effectiveness.
Among the 105 countries, many of the poorest countries that do not even have the manufacturing conditions for generic drugs were included, but major upper-middle-income countries with production and supply capabilities such as Brazil and China were excluded. It was pointed out that a full patent opening is necessary rather than a pinch opening.
However, unlike Merck, who took the first step in opening up patents, the international community and experts are increasingly criticizing vaccine companies that still hold on to patents and charge higher prices to poor countries.
This is Lee Jung-min from KBS News from Washington.
Cinematographer: Oh Beom-seok / Video Editing: Lee Hyun-mo / Graphic: Kim Seok-hoon, Chae Sang-woo, Choi Min-young / Research: Kwon Do-in
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