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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider First batch of anti-COVID drug Molnupiravir to arrive in PH on Nov. 18

First batch of anti-COVID drug Molnupiravir to arrive in PH on Nov. 18

Published Nov 17, 2021 02:31 pm

Molnupiravir (AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

The first batch of supplies of COVID-19 oral antiviral drug Molnupiravir will arrive in the Philippines on Thursday, Nov. 18.

This was announced by Faberco Life Sciences Inc. on Wednesday, Nov. 17. The Molnupiravir drug was developed by Merck & Co, Inc. (MSD). Faberco was chosen to distribute the Molnupiravir in the country by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, which is a partner of MSD.

“The first batch of Molnupiravir is substantial and continues shipment will be coming in,” Faberco said in a statement.

At present, Molnupiravir will only be made available in hospitals that were given a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This development was also announced by RiteMed Philippines, Inc. To note, RiteMed was tapped to distribute molnupiravir to hospitals, medical institutions, and treatment sites.

“ the company to start its distribution initially to hospitals that have secured compassionate special permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” Ritemed said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Faberco said it is expecting that the Philippine FDA will approve its application for the emergency use of Molnupiravir in the country. The drug was able to secure an emergency use authorization in the United Kingdom recently.

“We are anticipating the approval from the Philippine FDA in the coming weeks,” said Faberco founding member and Chairman of the Board Vinay Panemanglor.

The Molnupiravir pill “cut the risk of hospitalization or death by 50 percent when given as a five-day treatment regimen in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19,” said Faberco as it cited the drug’s clinical trial results.

Meanwhile, Ritemed expressed hope that this pill will soon be available in the Philippine market.

“It is our hope that Molnupiravir will also be cleared for distribution to drugstores nationwide soon so we can make it readily accessible to Filipinos, which is in line with RiteMed’s longtime advocacy of giving the public better access to quality affordable medicines,” said RiteMed President Jose Maria A. Ochave.

“It can be used to treat mild and moderate symptoms at home, but we need to make sure that its use is subject to supervision by doctors and comply with the requirements laid down by FDA,” he added.

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