The Ministry of Health has just allocated additional 1.1 million Molnupiravir tablets to 17 provinces and cities.
The ministry has just allocated additional 1.1 million Molnupiravir tablets to Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Nghe An, Thua Thien Hue, Vinh Phuc, Quang Nam, Dong Nai, Da Nang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, Lam Dong, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Vinh Long, Hanoi, and Dak Lak.
In October, the ministry also sent one million tables of Molnupiravir to 10 provinces and cities to treat Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms at home after this proved effective in the epicentre of Ho Chi Minh City.
Molnupiravir was added to the list of medicines used in treating Covid-19 patients at home in a pilot programme that was started in Ho Chi Minh City in late August.
So far 42 provinces and cities have participated in the programme.
The Department of Science, Technology and Training under the ministry said that the use of the drug had so far shown that Molnupiravir was safe and well-accepted, and had obvious effectiveness in reducing viral load, virus spread and the number of severe cases, and shortening treatment time, with no fatalities recorded.
Amid the ongoing outbreaks in many localities countrywide, the programme’s objective is to help ease pressure on hospitals and lower death rates.
Covid-19 patients suffering mild symptoms will be advised by medical staff about the programme.
Molnupiravir is developed by the US-based pharmaceutical companies Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck & Co., Inc.
According to the ministry, three pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam were planning to or are producing the drug.
Of the three, the drug manufactured by Stellapharm Vietnam has been approved for clinical trials. Because Molnupiravir has yet to be granted a circulation registration number in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health is considering asking the government for emergency usage. If approved, it is expected that three registration numbers will be issued for three types of Molnupiravir drugs manufactured by domestic pharmaceutical companies.