ROXAS City – This city is the first in Western Visayas to secure Molnupiravir, a groundbreaking medicine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
On Friday, 10,000 capsules were delivered to the city government in 250 bottles. Each bottle contained 40 capsules.
A bottle cost P2,000, according to Mayor Ronnie Dadivas.
The city government spent P500 thousand for the antiviral pill.
The delivery of the Molnupiravir pills gives the city government some confidence as it braces for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays.
Dadivas said the medicine will be made available for free to COVID-19 patients confined at the Roxas City Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF).
“Amo ini ang makaluwas sa aton sa gastos, sa kamatayon. Ini magamit naton sa mild to moderate cases,” said Dadivas in a press conference.
A capsule weighs 200 milligrams. A COVID-19 patient has to take eight capsules daily for five days, according to Dr. Lory Cahilog, city health officer.
“Ining Molnupiravir effective. May mga trials and clinical studies ini before na-approve. May special compassionate permit from FDA. Gina-advise ini nga ihatag sa mga mild to moderate cases para indi na mag-grabe or mag-severe,” said Cahilog.
Molnupiravir can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 30 percent when taken within five days of the onset of symptoms, according to its US-based manufacturer Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
Since the start of the pandemic, scientists have hoped for convenient options like these: pills that could be prescribed by any doctor and picked up at a local drugstore.
FDA will be monitoring the health of COVID-19 patients taking Molnupiravir, according to Dadivas. The TTMF will submit a report regularly.
The city government may be allowed by the FDA procure additional Molnupiravir, said the mayor, “kon makita nila ang paggamit naton insakto kag base man sa number sang aton (COVID) cases.”
The city and provincial governments of Iloilo have also expressed interest to procure Molnupiravir.
As of this writing, Roxas City has 14 active COVID-19 cases.
The city having Mulnopiravir is “daku nga kadalag-an naton tungod kita tanan nagbinuligay. Ini collective effort sang tanan nga pumoluyo sang syudad,” according to Dadivas.
As for the ongoing vaccination campaign, he said 53 percent of the city’s population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
He urged residents to continue observing the healthy safety protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission – wearing of facemask, physical distancing and proper washing or disinfection of hands./PN