Faberco Life Sciences Inc, an emerging Philippine-based pharmaceutical company is one of the firsts to bring in COVID-19 drug Molnupiravir (Molnarz) to the country, making the Philippines the first country in South East Asia to have access to this first-ever COVID-19 oral treatment.

Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral drug that will prevent mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 from progressing into severe disease that needs hospitalization.

Developed by Merck & Co, Inc, (MSD), it has given the manufacturing rights to eight top generic manufacturers in the world for low and middle-income countries, including Faberco’s manufacturer, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

Faberco has currently made Molnupiravir (Molnarz) available in the Philippines through Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration.

Though not yet available commercially, Faberco, has chosen RiteMed Philippines, Inc. to distribute Molnupiravir (Molnarz) to the private sector including hospitals, medical institutions, and treatment sites under compassionate use which allow institutions to procure and distribute products under study, or those awaiting approval for immediate use in emergency situations. 

FABERCO EXPECTS PHILIPPINE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION EUA APPROVAL SOON

Faberco Life Sciences, Inc. (Faberco) expects the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (PFDA) to approve its Emergency Use Application (EUA) application for the use of Molnupiravir in the country after the oral treatment received EUA approval in the UK few weeks ago.

“We are anticipating the approval from the Philippine FDA in the coming weeks” said Faberco Life Sciences Inc. founding member and Chairman of the Board, Vinay Panemanglor.

Molnupiravir, the first antiviral medication for COVID-19 is taken as a pill rather than given as an injection. In clinical trials, the pill, originally developed to treat flu, cut the risk of hospitalization or death by 50% when given as a 5-day treatment regimen in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The drug needs to be given within five days of symptoms developing to be most effective. 

Molnupiravir is the first COVID-19 drug that can be administered outside of a hospital setting, before the illness has progressed to a severe stage.

This milestone in the history of the country’s fight against COVID-19 would not have been possible if not for the support of the Philippine government. The company lauds and continuously supports the government’s efforts in providing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, which remains to be the cornerstone in preventing severe disease and deaths due to COVID-19.

“Faberco Life Sciences, Inc commits to the Filipino people to make available and accessible this life-saving drug, bringing hope and giving our nation more reason to celebrate this Christmas and welcome the new year with more optimism and enthusiasm”, said Mr. Kishore N. Hemlani, the company’s founder and Vice-Chairman of the Board.