As the COVID-19 pandemic continued in 2021, the off-patent industry stepped in to provide relief in a variety of ways, whether through securing supplies of essential medicines or helping to manufacture and distribute newly-developed treatments.

India saw a raft of vaccine and drug approvals in 2021, backed by pandemic-related accelerated regulatory processes, and outlined its intent to step up biopharma innovation in the country.  Pharma wants some of the regulatory flexibility to stay, though experts are seeking increased transparency in the overall approach.

India authorizes molnupiravir for restricted emergency use in COVID-19, marking the arrival of around a dozen “affordable” generics of  Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' oral antiviral. Physicians say data are “pretty compelling” notwithstanding the narrow FDA nod.

India authorizes molnupiravir for restricted emergency use in COVID-19, marking the arrival of around a dozen “affordable” generics of  Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' oral antiviral. Physicians say data are “pretty compelling” notwithstanding the narrow FDA nod.