Molnupiravir is used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing and at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
City Health Office (CHO) Head Dr. Ashley Lopez, who handed over to SPMC Chief of Hospital, Dr. Ricardo Audan the Molnupiravir capsules, said the city government procured a total of 2,000 bottles of the Mulnopiravir of which 1,000 are allocated to SPMC.
In a report from the City Information Office (CIO), these drugs arrived in the city Wednesday, January 26, 2021.
“The local government of Davao donated about 1,000 bottles that are good for 1,000 patients, for mild to moderate cases,” he said.
He said the remaining 1,000 bottles in its pharmacy stockroom, most likely part of this will be allocated for the city”’s TTMFs which handle mild to moderate cases.
Studies showed, according to Lopez, that the Mulnopiravir, the first and only oral anti-COVID- 19 drug manufactured commercially, offers a faster COVID-19 treatment.
“This is a big help for our mild and moderate COVID cases. According to our research and reports from places that received this drug, patients show fast recovery,” he said.
Lopez further said that Mulnopiravir is also the first drug that addresses COVID- 19 directly. Normally, to recover from symptoms, patients are given supplements, vitamins. Another set of medications is given if there are complications such as pneumonia. Antiviral injectables are also used only in hospitals.
Lopez said that the non-hospital-based treatment facilities will have access to COVID- 19 treatment.
“We can provide the non-hospital-based (patients) who need the antiviral drugs and we can assure that they will be well monitored for side effects that are expected to be very very mild. Mostly there are no significant effects on the use of Molnarz, all over the world, very minimal,” Lopez said.
Lopez added that the Mulnopiravir is still under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA so its administration needs to be well-supervised by doctors.
The CHO is currently making the draft of the process flow for the administration of these COVID- 19 treatment drugs to non-hospital facilities.
Lopez said that the city may procure another batch of Molnupiravir depending on the demand.
Lopez thanked Mayor Sara Duterte for the initiative of buying these drugs for Dabawenyos to avail for free.