Sri Lanka delays imports of Molnupiravir pill

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has delayed the importation of the Molnupiravir pill for COVID-19 treatment, as the drugmaker announced that the pill was significantly less effective in cutting hospitalizations and deaths than previously reported.

The drugmaker said its pill showed a 30% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths, based on data from 1,433 patients. In October, its data showed a roughly 50% efficacy, based on data from 775 patients. The drug, molnupiravir, was developed with partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

State Minister (Professor) Channa Jayasumana told News 1st that the effectiveness of the drug was ay 70% previously.

He said the Technical Committee of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority was instructed to re-visit the study on the effectiveness of the pill.

Based on the expert advice of the Technical Committee and the Experts, a decision will be made on importing the Molnupiravir pill to Sri Lanka.