By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 29: The Sarawak government will procure the Covid-19 treatment pill once it is proven safe for use, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the world scientists are currently working on Covid-19 treatment in the form of pills to fight the virus which is an alternative to vaccination and other public health measures.
“Once the pill is ready, there is no need for injection (method). It is just like panadol (paracetamol-based product) except that it is a new pill (to fight Covid-19).
“I have informed Deputy CM and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, as well as Local Government and Housing Minister and SDMC advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian that we will purchase the pills.
“Once it is ready and available and if it is approved safe for use, we will buy the pills to be given to the people. Alhamdulillah our State is moving in this direction,” he said when presenting land titles under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code to 83 Samariang constituents broadcasted live on Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) Facebook page today.
On Oct 2, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had posted on his Twitter account that Malaysia has initiated negotiations to procure molnupiravir, an experimental drug to treat Covid-19 patients as an additional option to vaccines.
According to US drug-maker Merck, interim clinical trial results suggests that the Covid-19 antiviral pill cuts the risk of hospitalisation or death by about half. — DayakDaily.
