Representatives of the National Medicines and Medical Devices Agency are working on a project that will enable national pharmaceutical companies to produce the antiviral drug remdesivir, which is used in the fight against the novel coronavirus, IPN reports.

According to the Agency’s director general Eremei Priseajniuc, they are having discussions to obtain a patent for producing this medicine in Moldova.

“There are now six producers with good manufacturing practice certificates in the Republic of Moldova. Of these six producers, only one producer has a production line that can ensure the manufacture of remdesivir. Discussions were launched with companies, the authorities of a number of states so as to identify solutions to initiate the production of remdesivir in our country. This product is in demand and we are making effort to launch its manufacture in the country,” Eremei Priseajniuc stated in the program “Moldova Live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1.

Asked what quantities of this drug could be produced in Moldova, the functionary assured that the volumes will be enough for the home market and for export.

“We are to first obtain this permission. Remdesivir is a patented product. It is the intellectual property of a U.S. company. Under the international legislation, a patent is to be obtained for producing this drug.  For the Republic of Moldova, the launch of the co-production of remdesivir in our country would represent enormous success,” said Eremei Priseajniuc.

The pharmaceutical manufacturers account for 10% of the internal pharmaceutical market. Most of them currently produce medicines that are used to treat COVID-19.