The government is monitoring the development of orally administered drugs to treat COVID-19 both at home and abroad. 

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) said Thursday that it’s closely monitoring efforts and holding discussions with global firms that are developing the drugs. 

The agency was quick to add, however, that details of the discussions in principle cannot be revealed to the public, reiterating remarks made on Wednesday. 

A KDCA spokesperson had said during Wednesday's briefing that purchase talks are ongoing with global firms and once the contracts are complete, the agency will decide on the scope of details it will reveal to the public, after consulting with the drugmakers.

The government has earmarked 16-point-eight billion won this year to purchase the drugs and over 19 billion won in next year’s budget. 

Currently, Phase Three clinical trials are under way for medications developed by MSD, Roche and Pfizer.