MOH ordered experimental antiviral drug due to breakthrough infections - KJ

Molnupiravir - an experimental antiviral pill being purchased by the Health Ministry - will be used to treat symptomatic Covid-19 cases, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

In a press conference today, the Health Minister said the decision to order the pills was made despite Malaysia’s high vaccination rate due to breakthrough infections.

“There have been a number of breakthrough Covid-19 infection cases, some even went up to Category 3, 4 and 5.

“This pill will be given to patients who have been symptomatic for five days. Most probably it will also be used on those in Category 3, 4 and 5.

“That is why we still need this pill, besides continuing with our immunisation programme," he said.

Khairy was answering a journalist’s request for an explanation behind MOH’s decision to order the trial drug.

It was reported that the government has struck a deal with US drugmaker Merck & Co to buy 150,000 courses of its Molnupiravir pills, joining other Asian countries in a rush to secure supplies.

According to Reuters, it would be the first oral antiviral medication for Covid-19 if it gets regulatory approval, could halve the chances of dying or being hospitalised for those most at risk of contracting severe Covid-19, clinical data has shown.

Khairy said the pill’s third clinical trial had shown that it is effective to help treat Covid-19 patients who are in the three advanced categories, especially those who have been showing symptoms for five days.

“It will be the strategy for this pill in Malaysia.”

Khairy said the pill would also give doctors another option, where they can choose to use it on those who have been vaccinated or otherwise, and those with certain medical conditions or are suffering from severe symptoms.

“Due to the high vaccination rate, we are not ordering the pills in high quantity.

“We have signed a letter of undertaking to purchase pills for 150,000 patients, as a start.”

Khairy, however, refused to reveal the costs involved, saying that the government is bound by a confidentiality agreement with the company. - Mkini

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