The Philippines might receive early access to Merck & Co., Inc.’s anti-viral therapy drug, molnupiravir, which is an unapproved drug, to be used for treating COVID-19 patients. The pills are likely to be distributed in hospitals from early November.

Philippines-based importer MedEthix and distributor JackPharma have jointly announced that they are planning to distribute pills produced by Aurobindo Pharma through an agreement with Merck & Co.

Sources claim that the drugs will be administered to 300,000 patients initially, on a compassionate use basis, with each capsule costing around USD 1.97 to USD 2.56 (100 pesos to 130 pesos).

Patients will need a doctor’s prescription to purchase the medicine from a hospital having the compassionate permit.

Although the anti-COVID treatment is yet to be approved for public use, many high-income nations are already in discussions to secure orders to obtain it.

It is worth noting that, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is planning to contribute nearly USD 120 million to amplify global access to this medication.

The molnupiravir drug is specifically designed to introduce errors to the genetic code of the virus and make the pathogen defunct.

The results of interim trials of molnupiravir have proved its ability to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients who are more likely to develop serious illness, thus spurring its demand.

Notably, Merck & Co. has licensed the medicine to a few generic drug firms and hopes to produce at least 10 million doses by the end of 2021.

Merck, along with its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutic has requested U.S. emergency authorization for the potential drug. However, some experts have been raising concerns about the impact of the drug on cell growth, which may increase the risk of birth defects.

Molnupiravir is expected to be reviewed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration Committee, in the upcoming month.

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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-covid-19-patients-may-get-mercks-anti-viral-pill-early