COVID-19 treatments

Philippines grants 1st emergency use treatment for COVID-19 to Ronapreve

Bonz Magsambol

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Philippines grants 1st emergency use treatment for COVID-19 to Ronapreve
Initial clinical trial results showed Ronapreve can reduce risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 by at least 70%, says FDA chief Eric Domingo

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued first emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 treatment to monoclonal antibody Ronapreve.

In a press briefing on Friday, October 8, FDA chief Eric Domingo said that the EUA for the drug was given on October 1, and was authorized for use for aged 12 and above with minimum weight 0f 40 kg.

The FDA chief, however, said that the Department of Health (DOH) and local experts need to conduct their independent study before the government could buy the drug.

Initial clinical trial results showed Ronapreve – a combination of two virus-neutralizing antibodies – can reduce risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 by at least 70%, said Domingo.

The drug is being developed by foreign biotechnology firms Regeneron and Roche. It is also currently approved for emergency use in a number of countries, including the United States. The World Health Organization has also recommended the use of the drug.

“It’s being given to mild to moderate cases and those who will benefit are those who are at high risk, like those with comorbidities and senior citizens,” Domingo said in Filipino.

Monoclonal antibodies, such as Ronapreve, are human-made proteins that act like natural human antibodies in the immune system.

Ronapreve is an intravenous drug, which means it is given through a needle or tube inserted into a vein.

In an interview with DZMM’s TeleRadyo on Friday, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said that the drug is safe for use and doesn’t have adverse effects on individuals.

“In terms of safety, tolerable naman ‘no, yung injection site lang na medyo masakit, yun ang pinaka-common na side effect or adverse event,” Solante said.

(In terms of safety, the drug is tolerable but the injection site will be painful, which is a common side effect or adverse event.)

Solante, however, emphasized that Ronapreve is only a medicine and not a vaccine.

Update on molnupiravir

Meanwhile, Domingo said that there’s no application yet for the emergency use of molnupiravir, a COVID-19 pill developed by US drugmaker Merck, which is lauded as being able to halve the chances of dying or being hospitalized for people most vulnerable to contracting severe COVID-19.

Other Asian countries are already in talks with Merck to buy molnupiravir. The latest is Malaysia, which has secured a deal of 150,000 courses.

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Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the government cannot negotiate for the supply of molnupiravir until the medicine gets regulatory approval.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III called on pharmaceutical companies to apply for EUA or compassionate special permit for the antiviral drug molnupiravir even before this medicine becomes commercially available. – Rappler.com

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Bonz Magsambol

Bonz Magsambol covers the Philippine Senate for Rappler.