Every day, anywhere between 5,000 – 20,000 new COVID-19 cases are reported by the DOH in the Philippines. Over 94% of these new cases are mild. Patients with mild COVID symptoms are asked to isolate so that they do not infect others and are provided with supportive treatment in hopes their condition does not worsen. A new oral antiviral pill is now available for mild COVID-19 cases. Molnupiravir will allow patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms to be treated early in an outpatient setting. Molnupiravir is the result of development of Emory University and MSD to treat mild COVID-19 cases. MSD had inked voluntary in-licensing deals with Indian pharma manufacturers to supply Molnupiravir to low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines.
So, it’s coming very soon. AUROBINDO PHARMA, a leading, US-FDA approved, Indian manufacturer, which has a voluntary in-licensing deal with MSD, has partnered with MEDETHIX INC., to bring Molnupiravir to the Philippines under Compassionate Special Permit. As early as September, Medethix has received Compassionate Special Permits issued by the Philippine FDA. Medethix Chief Executive Officer, Monaliza Salian, said that:
“Medethix would be the first to bring Molnupiravir to the country. We are excited that a new and promising oral treatment for mild COVID-19 cases will be available in early November 2021.”
How effective is Molnupiravir? Results of clinical trials sponsored by Aurobindo in India showed that 81% of the 1,200 mild cases taking Molnupiravir had negative RT-PCR results on the 5th day of treatment. This is compared to 17% of cases given only Standard of Care.
Now, COVID-19 patients can get better with proper at-home care. All the patients included in this study were treated at home. Imagine you don’t have to be admitted to a hospital to get treated for COVID-19.
Is it easy to take? Molnupiravir comes as a 200 mg capsule with a simple regimen of 800 mg twice daily for 5 days. It comes in a bottle of 40 capsules which is the entire dose.
How does it work? Molnupiravir introduces copying errors during viral RNA replication. It means that it enters the COVID-19 virus and alters it to become harmless. Even when the virus replicates it is no longer deadly.
How do we avail of Molnupiravir? Medethix, as part of its promise of making quality yet affordable healthcare solutions available to every Filipino, had appointed JACKPHARMA INC. to help Molnupiravir reach a wider range of doctors and patients in all communities. Meny Hernandez, Jackpharma President said that Jackpharma is pleased to be part of this alliance in bringing Molnupiravir to our healthcare frontliners and the Filipino patients. With Molnupiravir, the treatment of COVID-19 has shifted. Patients can now be treated at home without the need to go to the hospitals.”
Meetings and webinars are scheduled in November among healthcare frontliners to discuss the scientific evidence of Molnupiravir in the treatment of mild COVID-19 where Medethix and Jackpharma will discuss the Scientific Evidence of Molnupiravir.
For any queries, please email/contact Medethix at info@medethix.com.ph or contact on +63-9690170380 and +63-9454559829, and email/contact Jackpharma at info@jackpharma.com or contact on +63-9171685225.
Comments