By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/ Philippine News Agency
The yet-to-be-approved anti-viral pill molnupiravir still lacks an emergency use authorization and no suggested retail price can be issued because it is still under study by regulators, a health official said Friday (Oct. 29).
In an online media forum, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted that molnupiravir has only been issued a compassionate use permit (CSP), with four hospitals given the permit to administer the pill that is deemed to cut the risk of hospitalization for adults with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.
Physicians and hospitals using molnupiravir under CSP are accountable for its outcome on COVID-19 patients.
“Having said that, hindi pa rin tayo pwede makapag-issue ng SRP (suggested retail price) kasi pinag-aaralan pa ito,” Vergeire said. “Kelangan lumabas muna ito sa Living CPG Guidelines (Clinical Practice Guidelines) ng DOH para marekomenda at magkaroon ng SRP ang isang gamot.”
Since molnupiravir only has a CSP, the government cannot have a tripartite agreement with any entity, she said.
“Hindi pa natin ito pwede ipagbili o bumili tayo ng pangmalawakan, dahil wala pa po siyang authorization to be used,” Vergeire said.
Molnupiravir was developed by Merck & Co., which said it is likely to be effective against all known coronavirus variants as it does not target the spike protein of the virus that differentiates the variants.
It comes in a 200 mg. capsule with a recommended regimen of 800 mg. to be taken twice daily for five days or as prescribed by a doctor.
During an online press conference on Wednesday, local importer MedEthix co-founder Monaliza Balnig Salian said their initial delivery of molnupiravir would cover about 300,000 patients.
Salian said it was found out that 81% of the 1,200 mild cases taking molnupiravir had negative RT-PCR results on the fifth day of treatment in the clinical trials sponsored by Merck licensee Aurobindo Pharma in India.
Meanwhile, JackPharma, Inc. president Meneleo Hernandez said the market price of molnupiravir “will be established in early November and it will be quite affordable.”
Hernandez estimated the price at P100 to P130 per pill. (PNA) – jlo
