China's top drug regulator said Friday that it approved Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' Molnupiravir for emergency use on Thursday, as the country grapples with waves of infections after Beijing abruptly reversed its stringent Covid-19 restrictions earlier this month.

The National Medical Products Administration said it is requiring the approval holder to continue relevant research, complete conditional requirements and submit follow-up research results in a timely manner, according to a statement posted on its website Friday.

Molnupiravir and Pfizer Inc.'s Paxlovid are rival drugs for the treatment of Covid-19. Though Paxlovid pill was found in clinical trials to be more effective than Molnupiravir, the latter is also in high demand as an easy-to-use treatment that can be taken at home.

Write to Singapore Editors at singaporeeditors@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 30, 2022 07:18 ET (12:18 GMT)

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