<p>India has not added Merck's Covid-19 pill in its national treatment protocol for the disease due to some "major safety concerns", a senior health official told a media briefing on Wednesday.</p>.<p>"We have to remember that this drug has major safety concerns ... so it is not included in the national task-force treatment," Balram Bhargava, head of the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research, said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-approves-two-new-covid-19-vaccines-an-oral-pill-all-you-need-to-know-1065873.html?_ga=2.41415650.1134789135.1641356583-809666531.1639707087" target="_blank">India approves two new Covid-19 vaccines, an oral pill: All you need to know</a></strong></p>.<p>Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd plans to launch its generic version of the Merck drug, called molnupiravir, from early next week.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>India has not added Merck's Covid-19 pill in its national treatment protocol for the disease due to some "major safety concerns", a senior health official told a media briefing on Wednesday.</p>.<p>"We have to remember that this drug has major safety concerns ... so it is not included in the national task-force treatment," Balram Bhargava, head of the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research, said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-approves-two-new-covid-19-vaccines-an-oral-pill-all-you-need-to-know-1065873.html?_ga=2.41415650.1134789135.1641356583-809666531.1639707087" target="_blank">India approves two new Covid-19 vaccines, an oral pill: All you need to know</a></strong></p>.<p>Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd plans to launch its generic version of the Merck drug, called molnupiravir, from early next week.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>