Swift gov’t OK of antiviral drugs urged
SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is encouraging the national government to move quickly in its procurement and approval of scientifically proven antiviral drugs such as ‘molnupiravir’ amid our country’s continuing battle versus COVID-19.
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) must be on its toes to grant an emergency use authorization (EUA) for those pills, according to Lacson, so that Filipinos would not be left behind anew in having access to a possible potent medication against the viral disease.
“‘Yung mismong permiso ibigay na, ilabas na ng FDA para ‘pag nandiyan na sa merkado, bibili na lang tayo o bibili ‘yung national government, local government, ipapamahagi sa mga public hospital,” Lacson said.
Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, the biopharmaceutical companies behind molnupiravir, have conducted successful clinical trials to treat highly transmissible COVID-19 variants, which reportedly reduced the risk of hospitalizations for patients by 50 percent.
Lacson said such development is highly welcomed and appreciated because it eases the pressure off both our private and public hospitals with respect to treating severe to critical cases of COVID-19 among patients, which could lead to death.
To drive home his point on the importance of unburdening our hospitals and making COVID-19 medications readily available for the public, the incumbent senator and presidential aspirant shared the story of one of his staff members whose life was threatened by the disease.
“Ako, mismong staff ko, na-COVID… Nakapila, alam niyo ang tawag, sitting patient. Hindi na siya makahinga, nandoon siya sa corridor ng ospital, naghihintay ng kuwartong mababakante. Napakiusap namin na ipasok sa San Lazaro,” Lacson narrated.
“Ngayon, naresetahan ng doktor, remdesivir. Ang sagot kaagad, wala kaming available niyan sa aming pharmacy. Bakit? Bakit walang stock? Bakit kailangan bumili ‘yung pobreng pasyente?” he asked, hoping to avoid similar incidents from cropping up in hospitals again in the future.
Only four hospitals have so far been granted by the FDA to use molnupiravir for their COVID-19 patients under a compassionate special permit. The agency has yet to act on the EUA filed for the potentially game-changing antiviral drug since October, according to reports.
Globally, only the United Kingdom has given widespread approval for molnupiravir. The drug will reportedly be sold under the name Lagevrio in the UK to help its citizens cope with COVID-19 by interfering with the virus’ ability to replicate itself.
