The city government of Manila announced on Tuesday, Nov. 23, that it has already received the first batch of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) antiviral drug, Molnupiravir.
Around 40,000 capsules of Molnupiravir were delivered to the Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila on Monday, Nov. 22.
The antiviral drug will also be available in five other district hospitals in the city, namely the Ospital ng Maynila, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Justice Jose Abad Santos, Ospital ng Sampaloc, and Ospital ng Tondo.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Tuesday, Nov. 23, also handed over several boxes of the antiviral drug to the COVID-19 Field Hospital in Luneta.
“We should always be ahead of COVID infections. We were the first to purchase Remdesivir and Tocilizumab. And now this wonder drug Molnupiravir, tayo din ang naunang bumili (We were the first ones to buy)," he said.
"I will continue to listen to science. I always listen to Doc Willie Ong when it comes to anti-COVID drugs,” Domagoso added.
While the 40,000 capsules of Molnupiravir are dedicated to Manila residents, Domagoso said patients from other cities, municipalities, and provinces are still welcome.
“Iisang bangka tayo. Dito sa Maynila, welcome ang lahat. Sa abot ng aming makakaya, handa kaming tumulong sa ibang nangangailangan ng mga life-saving drugs gaya ng Remdisivir at Tocilizumab na maraming natulungan sa ibang lugar sa labas ng syudad (We are all in one boat. Here in Manila, everyone is welcome. To the best of our ability, we are ready to help others in need of life-saving drugs such as Remdisivir and Tocilizumab who have helped many elsewhere outside the city),” he said.
Molnupiravir, which was originally developed to treat influenza, is believed to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death of COVID patients by 50 percent.
In the contract signed by the Manila government, each capsule of Molnupiravir will cost P87.50, much lower than the cost of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab.
The antiviral drug will be given twice a day for five days to coronavirus patients with mild and moderate symptoms in the seven hospitals.