IO – Positive Covid-19 infections continue to trend in Indonesia, starting the second week of February 2022. The demand for drugs by telemedicine practitioners, especially antiviral ones, is on a rise. Thanks to the tireless work of medical researchers across the globe, Molnupiravir, a new hope in terms of an antiviral drug for treating Covid-19, has been announced.
The National Food and Drug Control Agency (Badan Pengawasan Obat dan Makanan – “BPOM”) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) production permit for Molnupiravir, which is indicated for treatment of mildto medium-severity Covid-19 symptoms in adult (18 years old or more) patients who do not require oxygen and who have no heightened risk of symptoms becoming acute, in line with the provisions of the latest Covid-19 Treatment Guidelines in Indonesia. The version of Molnupiravir approved for sale in Indonesia is a 200 mg capsule registered, imported, and marketed by PT Amarox Pharma Global (“APG”) under the brand name Movfor.
Preventing Its multiplication “The results of our third phase clinical testing show that Molnupiravir is an effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2, with a potential of obstructing the replication of the Omicron variant virus, with 100% RT-PCR viral clearance result by the fifth day. We have marketed Movfor, and it is ready for immediate use in treating Covid-19 patients in India and several ASEAN countries,” said Sandeep Sur, PT APG (Hetero) General Manager.
Preventing Its multiplication
APG’s Senior Product Manager Heny Sulistiyaningsih reports that Molnupiravir works by obstructing virus growth, indirectly preventing its multiplication. “Our safety evaluation shows that Movfor is relatively safe, generating only tolerable levels of side effects. The most frequently reported ones are merely diarrhea, nausea, headaches, and sleepiness. In our cooperation with PT Parit Padang Global, we are committed to ensure the sufficiency of Movfor stock for distribution to health facilities throughout Indonesia, and to help suppress the growth rate of positive infections,” she said.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin has directly inspected the production and availability of 400,000 Molnupiravir tablets at APG’s production facilities in Delta Silicon Industrial Park, Cikarang. (*/est)