Manila is offering the antiviral drug Molnupiravir for free, according to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso during his special report on Nov. 23.
Domagoso announced that the city government has already received around 40,000 Molnupiravir capsules that it purchased, and these will be given for free to COVID-19 patients.
In order for a patient to claim free Molnupiravir pills, he or she should present a doctor’s prescription for the medicine, a positive RT-PCR test result, and a photocopy of the patient’s valid identification or, if applicable, the valid identification of a representative.
The city will also try to accommodate patients residing outside of Manila who want to get the free medicine.
“It’s a universal problem so the policy is inclusive,” said Domagoso.
The free Molnupiravir capsules can be claimed at six Manila district hospitals, namely Sta. Ana Hospital; Ospital ng Maynila; Gat Andres Bonifacio; Justice Jose Abad Santos; Ospital ng Sampaloc; and Ospital ng Tondo.
Domagoso also said that the Philippine Food and Drug Association granted Manila a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) for the purchase of additional 200,000 capsules of 200 milligram Molnupiravir.
Molnupiravir reportedly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death of COVID-19 patients by around 50 percent.