Merck’s oral antiviral drugs Molnupiravir/Lagevrio, might be obtainable for prescription from Monday, 17 January, in accordance with the Ministry of Well being in Cyprus.
In accordance with EMA, Lagevrio is an oral antiviral drugs that reduces the flexibility of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to multiply within the physique. It does this by growing the variety of alterations (mutations) within the virus’ genetic materials (generally known as RNA) in a method that impairs the flexibility of SARS-CoV-2 to multiply. Lagevrio is being developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. The drugs, is at the moment not authorised within the EU.
The oral therapy might be obtainable by means of the Basic Well being System to sufferers who’re confirmed COVID circumstances both by means of PCR or Speedy Antigen Testing and are gentle to reasonable, don’t require hospitalisation and are inside 5 days from the date of the onset of signs or the date of the optimistic take a look at and carry at the least one threat issue.
In accordance with the Well being Insurance coverage Organisation, earlier than prescribing Molnupiravir, physicians want to finish a questionnaire that might be obtainable on the Basic Healthcare System portal which ensures that the tablet might be prescribed solely to sufferers who fulfill the factors set out by the Well being Ministry ad-hoc committee.
They need to additionally define the danger issue associated to the affected person.
In accordance with the protocol, among the many high-risk components thought-about are pre-existing lung illness, extreme continual renal failure, coronary heart arrhythmia, heart problems, those that have undergone angioplasty or stent implantation within the final 12 months, bypass within the final 12 months and up to date stroke or established neurological issues.
Eligible are additionally sufferers who had latest organ transplants, autoimmune or inflammatory situations, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The HIO has famous that Molnupiravir might be obtainable solely by means of the state hospital pharmacies.