“The recommendation of the European Medicines Agency regarding molnupiravir is expected next week, and the drug will probably be available in Poland in mid-December,” Wojciech Andrusiewicz told reporters.
“Apart from participating in EU tenders, we also talk separately with producers,” he added.
Molnupiravir, developed by US drug company Merck, will be administered to vulnerable patients with mild to moderate symptoms, and who do not require hospitalization.
In clinical trials, molnupiravir cut the risk of hospitalization or death by 50 percent. It is the world’s first approved COVID-19 medication which can be taken as a pill.
The pill introduces errors into the genetic code of the coronavirus, rendering it unable to multiply and thus allowing virus levels in the body to stay low.
Molnupiravir was first approved by Britain at the beginning of November.
According to Polish state news agency PAP, the drug may be especially helpful in treating people who do not respond well to vaccines.
It could also prove to be a landmark in reducing the burden on hospitals, which will help reduce the pandemic in poorer countries with weaker healthcare systems, PAP reported.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP