THE country has enough stocks of antivirals against COVID-19, including nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid), and molnupiravir, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
“We have long been stockpiling on these (antivirals). Our health system and hospitals are always at that point where we want to be more prepared than previous situations we had.
Our hospitals have stocks of molnupiravir, generic brand of Paxlovid, and other drugs needed to treat COVID,” Health Undersecretary and DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario said last Tuesday.
“Rest assured that the healthcare system is ready in case the number of infections increase. We have sufficient medicines that will help us manage cases,” she added.
Vergeire said that they have also stockpiled on other medicines and medical supplies used for COVID-19 patients, such as remdesivir, tocilizumab, testing kits, and oxygen.
In addition, the DOH also expanded access to those medicines.
“We can now buy these antivirals in FDA-licensed pharmacies,” she said.
“These are available commercially as long as you have prescription of doctors,” she added.
Last Tuesday, former presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion asked the government to stock up on antiviral medicines, such as molnupiravir and Paxlovid. He said antivirals should be part of the plan if the country is to successfully live with COVID-19.