Firm applies for EUA for Philippine-made COVID-19 med molnupiravir

A firm has applied for an emergency use authorization to start the production of molnupiravir in the country.

At President Rodrigo Duterte's Talk to the People on Monday night, Food and Drug Administration director general Dr. Oscar Gutierrez reported that Lloyd Laboratories, Inc. applied for an EUA on Friday.

Gutierrez added that the FDA already drafted guidelines on the issuance of EUA for locally manufactured drugs for COVID-19.

He said the FDA already submitted it to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday.

Gutierrez said a GMP inspection will be conducted by the FDA-FROO in addition to evaluation of documents.

He added that pre-assessment already started and evaluation will be completed when all the requirements are met.

Molnupiravir is  the first oral antiviral drug shown to prevent mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 from progressing into severe disease that needs hospitalization.

The FDA in December granted an EUA to anti-COVID-19 drug molnupiravir under the brand name Molnarz. —NB, GMA News