As of Monday 17 January, Molnupiravir 200mg, a medicine designed to assist keep away from the chance of extreme coronavirus an infection and hospitalisation, might be prescribed via the nationwide well being system (GeSY) in grownup instances with gentle signs of the illness. In keeping with the Minister of Well being, Michael Hadjipantela, Cyprus is among the first nations within the EU to have bought and distributed this remedy to its residents.
Helena Panayiotopoulou, Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Providers, mentioned that the remedy is beneficial for individuals over 65 years of age and might be administered to particular classes of susceptible teams of the inhabitants.
She added that it’s to be taken no later than the fifth day following the signs’ onset or the constructive prognosis of laboratory assessments, with 4 capsules taken within the morning and 4 within the night for 5 days.
Panayiotopoulou mentioned that opposed reactions after administration usually are not of concern and embrace gentle dizziness, headache and intestinal issues, noting that the remedy developed by Pfizer can be accessible in February.
In response to a query, she commented that Molnupiravir might be administered whatever the particular person’s vaccination historical past, whereas it’s not administered to individuals beneath 18 years of age, nor to pregnant ladies or ladies of childbearing age who might turn into pregnant and who usually are not utilizing efficient contraception. Breast-feeding also needs to be discontinued throughout therapy and for 4 days after therapy.
Panayiotopoulou famous that the medicinal product is at present being evaluated by the European Medicines Company, which however recommends its use particularly for individuals thought-about to be at excessive danger of significant coronavirus an infection, “making it accessible on an emergency foundation, given the safety it has been proven to supply via the medical trials which have been performed”.
She highlighted that its administration “has been proven to scale back the chance of significant illness or demise in individuals affected by Covid-19, from 14.1% in individuals taking placebo to 7.3% in individuals taking Molnupiravir, from a complete of 775 members”.
Panayiotopoulou mentioned that high-risk components embrace pre-existing continual respiratory illness, extreme pulmonary hypertension, extreme pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonectomy/ lobectomy, extreme continual kidney illness, cardiac arrhythmia with everlasting defibrillator or coronary heart illness with everlasting defibrillator and biventricular pacemaker.
Different high-risk components are coronary heart failure of any aetiology of NYHA stage III or IV, heart problems and up to date acute coronary syndrome or revascularisation surgical procedure, angioplasty or stent implantation up to now 12 months, aorto-coronary bypass up to now 12 months, and a current stroke up to now 12 months or with established neurologic semiology.
Panayiotopoulou mentioned that Molnupiravir might be administered by private physicians, basic practitioners, physicians specialising in infectious ailments, pulmonologists, haematologists, medical oncologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, nephrologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, endocrinologists and geriatricians.
She added that it has already been launched in the UK and the Czech Republic and that different European nations are anticipated to comply with swimsuit.
In his deal with, the Minister of Well being mentioned that “as of as we speak, our nation has this drug, which contributes to the therapeutic response to the pandemic and protects sufferers at excessive danger of extreme Covid-19 illness.”
He famous that “for the reason that starting of the pandemic, the Ministry of Well being has been aiming to successfully deal with the coronavirus, searching for to defending the inhabitants and our susceptible teams.”
Hadjipantela assured that “because the Ministry of Well being, we’re always vigilant about new vaccines and new remedies in opposition to Covid-19 and we’re actively concerned in all collaborative efforts to make sure that new vaccines and medicines in opposition to Covid-19 are secured as quickly as doable”.
“For us, each the prevention and the therapy of coronavirus are precious instruments in our efforts to safeguard public well being and return to normalcy as rapidly as doable.”