KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has signed an agreement to acquire 150,000 patient courses of the molnupiravir oral antiviral drug for use against Covid-19.
In a statement today, Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ministry has signed a letter of undertaking with drug producer Merck Sharp & Dohme.
“The decision is made as we prepare to transition to the endemic phase living with Covid-19 by adding newer innovative treatment options as a weapon to fight the virus, apart from the use of vaccines and other public health actions.”
The announcement comes after Khairy said Malaysia was in talks to procure the drug, which reportedly halves the chances of death or hospitalisation among coronavirus patients.
Yesterday, Singapore’s Health Ministry announced a supply and purchase agreement with Merck, but did not reveal the number of doses it wants to buy.
According to Reuters, molnupiravir, which is entering Phase 3 clinical trials this month, was designed to introduce errors to virus’ genetic code.
When applied for treatment, it would be the first oral medication for Covid-19.
However, the company has yet to gain approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the pill’s public use.
Khairy said studies by Merck have shown that the drug led to a 50% decline in hospital admissions, and is effective against the aggressive Gamma, Delta and Mu variants.
He said the pill will not replace the role of vaccines.
“The molnupiravir medication cannot prevent infections. It is beneficial only to those infected.
“We need both methods to reduce the burden of Covid-19, while making a bigger impact on the prevention and control of infections.
“At the same time, the Health Ministry will continue to monitor the development of medication used in the treatment of Covid-19 patients around the world to ensure the country is not left behind in getting the best treatment for Malaysians.” – The Vibes, October 7, 2021
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