US drugmaker Merck & Co announced a deal that could see generic versions of its anti-Covid-19 medication for people infected with the disease widely distributed in poorer countries, AFP reports.

The global Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) said it had signed a voluntary licencing agreement with Merck to facilitate affordable worldwide access for its investigational oral Covid-19 antiviral medicine molnupiravir.

Subject to regulatory approval, the deal will help create broad access for use of molnupiravir in 105 low and middle-income countries.

The US and European Union medicines regulators are already reviewing the drug.