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NMRA to decide conditions for Molnupiravir administration

09 Dec 2021

  • Technical committee to decide age group to be prioritised, etc.
BY Buddhika Samaraweera  The Health Ministry has stated that the manner in which the Covid-19 oral antiviral pill Molnupiravir will be administered is to be decided on the conditions imposed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on the relevant companies that will import the said drug. Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Ministry Secretary Dr. S.K. Rathnayake earlier told The Morning that several companies have expressed interest in importing the Molnupiravir pill and that accordingly, the first batch will be imported most likely within the course of this month. Accordingly, when contacted by The Morning to inquire as to how and to which age group the said drug will be administered first, the Health Ministry's Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that no decision has been taken yet regarding the matter.  “There are several conditions imposed by the NMRA when granting clearance for this drug. It is those conditions that will determine how this should be administered. For example, it is the NMRA that decides what age group should be given this first,” he said, and added that a technical committee of experts within the NMRA will make recommendations regarding such matters.  Molnupiravir is an antiviral medication that inhibits the replication of certain ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses and is used to treat Covid-19. Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 Technical Committee recently granted approval for the use of Molnupiravir, making it the first oral antiviral medication to be approved for the treatment of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka. Dr. Rathnayake said: “Several suppliers have now expressed interest to import the Molnupiravir pill. They are currently in the process of submitting reports with regard to clinical trials on it and other information related to the pill to the NMRA. Once the NMRA approval is given, the suppliers can proceed with the import.”  Developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and the Merck Sharp and Dohme Corporation, Molnupiravir works by interfering with the virus’s replication. This prevents it from multiplying, keeping virus levels low in the body and therefore reducing the severity of the disease. Based on the clinical trial data, it is most effective when taken during the early stages of the infection and therefore has been recommended for use as soon as possible, following a positive Covid-19 test and within five days of the onset of the symptoms.


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