FDA OKs extension of molnupiravir shelf life to 12 months

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  on Monday approved the extension of the shelf life of Merck's anti-COVID-19 drug molnupiravir from six months to 12.

FDA officer-in-charge Director Oscar Gutierrez Jr. said it approved the emergency use authorization of molnupiravir brands Molnarz and Molnaflu.

"Nagsubmit po sila requirements so nabigyan ng 12 months. Ito ay isang magandang balita meaning yung gamot na yun patuloy ang importation," said Gutierrez.

Meanwhile, he said nine more firms have applied to prolong the shelf life of their anti-COVID-19 medicines.

The FDA granted an EUA to molnupiravir in December 2021 while a firm also applied for an EUA to manufacture the anti-COVID-19 drug in the country.

Molnupiravir was shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by around 30% in a clinical trial of high-risk individuals early in the course of the illness. — BM, GMA News