HCMC – A batch of more than 300,000 pills of Molnupiravir, a Covid-19 antiviral of the 200-milligram type, enough for over 7,500 doses, arrived in Vietnam on August 23 to serve the treatment of Covid-19 patients confined to their homes.
The next batch with 1.7 million pills, enough for 50,000 doses, is expected to be sent to the country on August 28. The remaining batches will be imported to be used early next month, the local media reported.
In addition, local enterprises can supply 116,000 doses by September 5, equivalent to 2.32 million 400-mg pills.
Amid the complicated development of the pandemic in HCMC and other southern localities, it is important to support Covid-19 patients staying at home to access medical services quickly, helping to reduce Covid-19 deaths.
Clinical trials of Molnupiravir in many countries have proved its safety and efficacy in reducing the virus load, eliminating the virus in mild and moderate Covid-19 patients after five days of treatment and reducing the number of hospitalized patients and fatalities.
Based on the mid-term results of the trial of the antiviral in some medical centers, the Ministry of Health and the HCMC Department of Health will begin the pilot of the home-based care for Covid-19 patients on August 25 in HCMC.
Mild-symptom patients voluntarily participating in the pilot will be given medicines and advice for their health. They will be monitored for 14 days for symptoms of Covid-19 and possible side effects of Molnupiravir.
Experts and medical workers will record, assess and summarize the results of the pilot.
