Asian Tech Press (Jan 6) -- The head of India's top medical research agency said Wednesday that Merck's COVID-19 pill molnupiravir has major safety concerns.

Asian News International (ANI) reported that Dr. Balram Bhargava, head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said the US drug company Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD)'s molnupiravir has major safety concerns that could prevent the drug from joining the country's list of viral treatments.

India's drug regulator last week approved Merck's antiviral pill for emergency use, but the government has not yet decided whether to recommend it. Bhargava noted that the drug could be dangerous to unborn children and could cause cartilage and muscle damage.

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved molnupiravir for emergency use, but the FDA cautioned that Merck's drug is not recommended for use in pregnant women.