Molnupiravir, an oral antiviral drug touted and clinically proven to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from known SARS-CoV-2 variants by half, may be available in the country as early as next month. They can be accessed initially through hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Unlike most Covid vaccines, which target the spike protein on the outside of the virus, Molnupiravir works by targeting an enzyme the virus uses to make copies of itself. This should make Molnupiravir equally effective against new variants of the virus as it evolves in the future, the innovator Merck noted.
Faberco Life Sciences Inc. (Faberco), which was appointed to distribute Molnupiravir in the Philippines by one of Merck’s manufacturing licensees, has partnered with RiteMed Philippines, Inc. (RiteMed) for the latter to distribute the anti-COVID oral drug to hospitals, medical institutions, and treatment sites once compassionate special permits (CSP) are filed with and approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (PFDA).
PFDA Director-General Eric Domingo has said that the oral antiviral drug can be used by doctors and hospitals for COVID treatment via the Compassionate Use Special Permit (CSP). The FDA allows the use of investigational drugs — or drugs which are not yet registered or in the process of registration — if they are covered by CSP.
“We are confident that through the distribution channels of RiteMed, Molnupiravir will reach healthcare facilities throughout the country faster, giving more Filipinos access to this life saving drug the soonest possible time,” said Kishore Hemlani, Founder of Faberco.
“This partnership with Faberco puts RiteMed in a good position to help more Filipinos survive the pandemic and is aligned with our mission to provide access to essential medicines by partnering with like-minded doctors and healthcare facilities,” Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave, President of RiteMed, said.
Faberco will import Molnupiravir for hospitals and healthcare facilities given a CSP for Molnupiravir by the FDA for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID. The drug will help alleviate the burden on the healthcare system as it allows healthcare workers in hospitals to focus on severe and critical in-patients.
