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India has not added Merck's Covid-19 pill to its national treatment protocol for the disease due to known safety concerns that have restricted its use elsewhere, a senior health official told a media briefing.
“We have to remember that this drug has major safety concerns,” Balram Bhargava, head of the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research, said, reports Reuters.
“It can cause teratogenicity, mutagenicity and it also can cause cartilage damage and be damaging to muscles. More importantly, contraception will have to be used for three months if this drug is given because the child born could be problematic with teratogenic influences.”
