MERCK’s antiviral pill SL to decide next week

• The expert committee on Covid-19 at the Health Ministry would submit a  report on my request outlining the feasibility of using this wonder drug  in Sri Lanka
• The producer of the wonder drug has submitted its dossier to the FDA of the US and to the WHO for approval for world wide commercial use of the drug

By Sandun A. Jayasekera  

Sri Lanka would take a decision on the feasibility of using the anti Covid-19 wonder drug Molnupiravir - a product of the US - to control the pandemic fully, sooner than later by early next week, a Minister said yesterday.   

Prof. Channa Jayasumana said he expects a report from the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in the next couple of days on the suitability of using Molnupiravir in Sri Lanka.   “The expert committee on Covid-19 at the Health Ministry would submit a report on my request outlining the feasibility of using this wonder drug in Sri Lanka, its quality, the price and other relevant clinical and commercial information that would lead us to take a decision by early next week,” Minister Prof. Jayasumana told Daily Mirror.  

The expert panel will also indicate the quantities of the drug to be imported and the dates, if the government decides to place an import order following the expert panel’s recommendations, he added.  

The producer of the wonder drug has submitted its dossier to the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) of the US and to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for approval for world wide commercial use of the drug.  

However, a number of countries in East Asia like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and also Australia have already imported Molnupiravir and begun prescribing the orally administered drug - a product of the pharmaceutical giant of the US Merck with excellent results, State Minister Prof. Jayasumana said.   

Clinical trials have proved that the pill cuts hospitalisations and deaths among people with COVID-19 by half. The results haven’t yet been peer reviewed. But if the drug candidate, Molnupiravir, is authorised by regulators, it would be the first oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19. By contrast, the other currently authorised drugs must be delivered intravenously or injected. 

• A  number of countries in East Asia like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore  and also Australia have already imported Molnupiravir and begun  prescribing the orally administered drug