Molnupiravir to be available in PH next month

The first oral coronavirus disease (COVID-19) antiviral drug, Molnupiravir, will be available in the country next month, local importer MedEthix announced on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

In a press conference, MedEthix co-founder Monaliza Balnig Salian said the initial delivery will cover about 300,000 patients.

The drug will be imported under a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last September.

“Living our principle to heal always and in all ways, we at MedEthix are actively looking for ways to help Filipinos have a better chance at fighting the virus. So, we took the chance to apply for a CSP once MSD announced promising initial clinical results for Molnupiravir," Salian said.

Molnupiravir, which was originally developed to treat influenza, can be used to treat COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate infections.

Salian said the pill works by introducing copying errors during viral RNA replication.

In the clinical trials sponsored by MSD licensee Aurobindo Pharma in India, it was found out that 81 percent of the 1,200 mild cases taking Molnupiravir had negative RT-PCR results on the fifth day of treatment, she said.

"We are honored to bring this treatment drug to the country as early as November and we assure Filipinos that we are going to offer the same level of quality as with our other products and services,” Salian said.

JackPharma Inc. President Meneleo Hernandez assured that the market price of Molnupiravir will be "quite affordable."

He said the estimated price per pill is at ₱100 to ₱130.

Molnupiravir comes in a 200mg capsule with a recommended regimen of 800mg to be taken twice daily for five days or as prescribed by doctor. It also comes in a bottle of 40 capsules, which is the entire dose.

MedEthix and JackPharma are set to further discuss the use of Molnupiravir through meetings and webinars with healthcare frontliners in November.

400,000 capsules

The city government of Manila announced on Tuesday, Oct 26, that it has already ordered 40,000 capsules of Molnupiravir

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso told DZMM that the city's decision to place advance orders for Molnupiravir was based on the information provided by his running mate Dr. Willie Ong.

Ong had earlier urged the government to place advance orders for Molnupiravir as he believes that it is “beneficial” and “life-saving” to the public.

The Manila Mayor also appealed anew to the government to prioritize the procurement of life-saving drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab instead of investing on face shields.

“So, kung ito yung mga bagay na makabubuhay sa tao, makapagdudugtong ng buhay ng tao, then I will not spend ₱4 billion for face shields. That’s ₱4 billion put to waste, wala namang science (that proves that face shields work) (So, if these are the things that can make a person live, can extend a person's life, then I will not spend ₱4 billion on face shields. That’s ₱4 billion put to waste, there is no science (that will prove that face shields work),” Domagoso told DZMM.

Molnupiravir, which was originally developed to treat influenza, is said 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 hospitals that were already granted compassionate special permits by the Food and Drug Administration.