ICMR Chief Dr Balram Bhargava said that Covid antiviral drug Molnupiravir has major safety concerns and has not been included in the national protocol for the treatment of coronavirus.

During a press briefing, he said the World Health Organisation and the UK have not included it for treatment. "We have to remember that this drug has major safety concerns. It can cause teratogenicity, mutagenicity and it can also cause cartilage damage and can also be damaging to muscles also. Contraception will have to be done for three months for male and female if this drug is given because the child born could be problematic due to teratogenic influence," he told reporters.