By Pearl Gumapos
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo on Thursday (Dec. 23) said the FDA has approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer’s molnupiravir (Molnarz).
“Ito po ay pinapayagan natin ibigay sa mga pasyente with mild to moderate COVID-19,” Domingo said at the Laging Handa public briefing.
“So hindi po ito puwede sa mga severe or iyong mga nangangailangan ng oxygen. Ito ay puwede lamang ibigay sa mga adults, 18 years old and above, na positive po for COVID-19 and mayroong risk factors for developing severe illness.”
“Ito pong molnupiravir ay binibigay two times a day for five days, but it should be given as soon as possible after diagnosis. At dapat within the first five days after the onset of symptoms,” he added.
Meanwhile, the FDA has also approved the EUA for the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on five to 11 year olds.
“Mataas din ang efficacy rate, about 90% sa mga batang five to 11 years old, and, at the same time, iyon pong nakitang adverse events sa clinical trial ay very mild lamang po,” he said.
“Wala pong nakitang any unusual or important safety signals,” he added. – jlo