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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Local firm's Molnupiravir may cost P50 to P75 per capsule - FDA

Local firm's Molnupiravir may cost P50 to P75 per capsule - FDA

Published Feb 9, 2022 01:13 pm

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday, Feb. 9 that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pill Molnupiravir of Lloyd Laboratories Inc. may be marketed by the firm at P50 to P75 per capsule.

Molnupiravir (AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

During a Laging Handa press briefing, FDA-Officer-In-Charge Director-General Oscar Gutierrez mentioned that the emergency use authorization (EUA) approved by the agency for the firm to locally-produce a generic product.

He said that generic products are usually 30 to 50 percent cheaper than branded products. Gutierrez said that based on a survey they conducted in January a 200 milligram (mg) capsule costs P100 to P150.

He also stated that for a patient to complete the dosage regimen of five days, he or she may need 40 capsules.

"Ayon po sa EUA ang pwede lang po kasing bumili ng produkto doon sa EUA holder ay ang Department of Health (DOH) or ang National Task Force (NTF) (According to the EUA, only the DOH and the NTF may purchase the product from the EUA holder)," Gutierrez said.

The DOH will then deliver the product to health facilities and healthcare providers who wll be the ones that will administer and provide it to patients in accordance with the indicated approved use and the COVID-19 prevention and management program, he added.

He reminded that drug outlets according to the Universal Health Care Law are included among healthcare providers and that the agency is in favor of having COVID-19 drugs available to the public.

According to Gutierrez, the approval of the EUA application of Lloyd Laboratories Inc. will be of great help since investigatory drugs imported from other countries that arrive in the country are only limited.

He added that the firm has the capacity to produce a million capsules a year that can cater to 25,000 to 50,000 patients and it will only be dedicated for the Philippines.

Related Tags

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 DRUG molnupiravir covid-19 Emergency Use Authorization covid-19 pill lloyd laboratories inc. Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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