Top pulmonologist admits new drugs can help people with mild, moderate Covid avoid hospitalization, death
Top pulmonologist Dr. Bryan Cepedoza admits that 2 new drugs can help people who are infected with mild and moderate Coronavirus disease (Covid) avoid hospitalization and death.
He expressed his position in a radio interview over Newsmakers Ug Uban Pa on Nov. 24, 2021 hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado.
Cepedoza said that molnopiravir is an anti-viral medication, which has been around for quite some time, and has been found to be effective against Covid.
The downside, Cepedoza said, the drug is not yet available in the country as the manufacturer is having a hard time coping with the demand.
The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come up with a compassionate use permit (CUP) for the said drug.
Currently, the FDA is looking at applications to upgrade the CUP to an emergency use authorization (EUA) and make the said drug more accessible to the public under certain conditions.
Cepedoza said that molnopiravir may help reduce the chances of a person with mild and moderate Covid to be hospitalized or die due to disease complications.
On the other hand, Cepedoza said that another drug called Paxlovid, which is made by Pfizer, is 89% effective in preventing hospitalization and death among mild and moderate Covid patients.
Just the same, Cepedoza recommends that people should get inoculated despite the existence of anti-Covid drugs.
He insisted that prevention is better than cure.