KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7: Malaysia has signed an agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme (Merck) to buy 150,000 courses of the Molnupiravir anti-viral treatment for Covid-19.
Health Ministry Khairy Jamaluddin in a press statement said the government through the Health Ministry signed the letter of undertaking today.
“The decision was made as we prepare to transition into the endemic phase of living with the Covid-19 virus by adding new innovative options as ‘weapons’ to fight Covid-19 besides vaccination and other public health measures.
“Research conducted by Merck has shown that Molnupiravir reduces hospitalisation rate by 50 per cent besides being effective against other contagious Covid-19 variants such as Gamma, Delta and Mu.
“Nonetheless, I would like to state here that even though the Molnupiravir drug is effective, it does not mean that vaccination is no longer required as the function of vaccination is to reduce and prevent one from severe infection,” he said in the press statement which was uploaded on his Twitter account.
He pointed out that Molnupiravir cannot prevent Covid-19 infection while it is beneficial to Covid-19 patients.
Khairy added the Health Ministry will continue to monitor the latest developments in the treatment of Covid-19 patients around the world and to ensure Malaysia is not left behind in seeking the best treatment for its citizens. — DayakDaily
