UniTeam backs local production of Molnupiravir
THE BBM-Sara UniTeam said it fully supports the initiative of the government and the private sector to produce Molnupiravir, an oral treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), domestically to fight off periodic surges caused by new variants.
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said the move to produce the oral medicine locally would be a big help in the country’s long-term battle against COVID-19.
“We fully support this kind of initiative, and we intend to expand it so that more of our people can avail of this life-saving medicine. We also need to allow our local pharmaceutical industry to increase its manufacturing capacity to make COVID-19 treatments widely available and more affordable,” the UniTeam said.
The Philippine Board of Investments recently announced that it had approved a local pharmaceutical company’s application to produce Molnupiravir domestically after securing a technology transfer agreement with an India-based pharmaceutical company.
This month, the company starts production in its Bulacan facility with an initial target of one million 400mg capsules.
The locally-made Molnupiravir has a suggested retail price of P65 per pill – cheaper than the imported version that sells around P100 to P150 per pill.
“Our battle against COVID-19 will be for the long haul. The BBM-Sara UniTeam is fully committed to ensuring that all Filipinos get the best possible care in this pandemic,” the team said.
“Aside from pushing for reforms and better policies in the healthcare sector, we are also keen on initiatives that have immediate benefit to our people’s health and well-being,” the BBM-Sara UniTeam added.
Molnupiravir, according to the results of Phase 3 clinical trials in India for mild COVID-19 cases, significantly reduces viral load and more patients return negative RT-PCR results faster.
“As home isolations and home quarantines become the norm, those with mild symptoms will need therapy like Molnupiravir. The resulting increase in our manufacturing capacity and capability will also enable us to produce future COVID-19 treatments faster when they become available,” the UniTeam stressed.
