Dhaka, May 9 -- Eskayef submitted its samples of remdesivir to the DGDA on Saturday while Beximco submitted it on Wednesday, said Ruhul Amin, a director of DGDA.

The companies will be permitted to market the drug if everything is fine, he said. "They have to apply for authorisation for marketing the drug if the test results are satisfactory."

The drug regulator has permitted five other companies to produce the drug: Square, Beacon, Healthcare, Popular and Opsonin, according to Ruhul Amin.

A single dose of remdesivir will be priced at Tk 5,500, according to officials of the DGDA and the pharmaceutical companies. An adult patient may need up to 12 doses on doctor's advice.

The companies can initially supply the drug to the hospitals tha...