The world's first oral drug against COVID-19 called Molnupiravir is set to arrive in the Philippines on Thursday, according to its distributor Faberco Life Sciences Inc.
Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill that can prevent severe hospitalization from COVID-19 by 50%, according to Faberco medical director Luningning Villa, citing initial clinical trials for the drug.
"Kung meron kang mild or moderate na case ng COVID-19, napipigilan nito ang pag-progress ng sakit into a severe case na mangangailangan ng hospitalization by 50%," Villa explained to DZRH.
(If you have mild or moderate case of COVID-19, this can prevent the progression of the disease into a severe one where you’ll need hospitalization by 50%.)
The drug can be taken orally, Villa added, meaning it can be consumed by one’s mouth like an ordinary capsule.
According to the health expert, the pill can be taken "for a five-day course of 800 milligrams two times a day."
Molnupiravir has received a compassionate special permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that only hospitals and doctors across the country can request for the said drug for their patients.
FDA Director General Eric Domingo told DZRH in a separate interview that patients themselves can ask their hospitals if they have a compassionate special permit so they can receive Molnupiravir.
"Kung ang pasyente naman ay nagpatingin sa isang ospital, they can ask kung meron silang compassionate special permit para rito at kung meron silang special permit ay maaari na itong ma-access doon po sa ospital na 'yun," Domingo said in an interview.
(If a patient is being checked by a hospital, they can ask if they have compassionate special permit for it and if they have a special permit, then they may access the drug in the hospital.)
Without citing a specific number, Domingo and Villa confirmed separately that a lot of hospitals will receive Molnupiravir, including those within and outside Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Domingo also said that patients who will receive Molnupiravir will be under monitoring and hospitals will need to report to the agency the condition of the pill's recipients.
Domingo said their experts are still reviewing the drug for Emergency Use Authorization, which will expedite the pill's availability to the public.
"Kapag nakita naman natin na talagang 'yung safety profile na nakita sa clinical trials ay maganda at maganda yung efficacy niya, then possible na maisyuhan natin ito ng Emergency Use Authorization," Domingo said.
(If we see that the safety profile reported in the clinical trials is good, and the efficacy is good, then it’s possible that we will issue an Emergency Use Authorization.)
