Oral treatment is important to ensure the people are protected against the virus: CM
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will purchase the Covid-19 antiviral pill once it is approved by the health authorities to be supplied to the people.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas have been informed of the state’s intention in acquiring the Covid-19 antiviral pill.
“Now the Covid-19 antiviral pill is already available. Once it is approved and ready for usage, we (Sarawak) will buy it for our people,” he said during a programme to hand over land titles under Section 18 of the State Land Code for Samariang Constituency at the Kampung Samariang Batu’s multipurpose hall yesterday (Oct 29).
He explained that the oral treatment for Covid-19 was important to ensure the people were protected against the virus.
“When there is Covid-19 and emergence of its variants, scientists are continuously finding ways to come out with the medicine. Thus, it is hoped that the pill can help to fight against Covid-19.” he said.
Abang Johari said although most Sarawakians have been vaccinated against Covid-19, they should remain vigilant especially with the presence of the Delta variant.
Earlier this month, the Health Ministry signed a letter of undertaking (LoU) with US’s multinational pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme to procure 150,000 packages of the antiviral drug Molnupiravir to treat Covid-19 patients.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the treatment pills were in addition to the nation’s vaccination programme.
He said that studies by Merck had also shown that the pill was effective against more virulent strains such as Gamma, Delta and Mu.
