CHINA’S first domestically developed oral drug for COVID-19 treatment has set its initial price at less than 300 yuan (US$44.4) per bottle, as observers said the drug will help ensure more Chinese families access to COVID-19 treatment.

Azvudine, produced by Genuine Biotech Limited, based in Central China’s Henan, contains 35 tablets per bottle with 1 mg per tablet. The price per bottle has been set at less than 300 yuan, reported Henan Daily yesterday.

China approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill Paxlovid and the domestic neutralizing antibody therapy BRII-196/BRII-198 for COVID-19 treatment. Paxlvoid is sold at about 2,400 yuan per course and the BRII-196/BRII-198 therapy costs 10,000 yuan for one course of treatment.

The Chinese National Medical Products Administration granted conditional approval to Azvudine for COVID treatment July 25.(Global Times)