Molnupiravir, a powerful antiviral against COVID-19, reduces the risk of hospitalization by more than 50%, and therefore the complications that could lead to death.

The management and acquisition of 4,000,000 million tablets of this drug by the government of El Salvador allowed its incorporation into the treatment of the disease through the delivery of drug kits to people who are confirmed positive for the virus through various tests, whether from the public sector or from private laboratories.

If a person is positive in a community screening by the Ministry of Health (Minsal), the institution communicates by telephone to notify them of their health status and arrange for the delivery of the kit. However, if the test is from a private laboratory, the patient must call 132 and report the result to receive the kit with the drug.

“Molnupiravir is a powerful antiviral to treat COVID-19 in confirmed patients, reducing the risk of hospitalization. This medicine is sent to the home” — the Deputy Minister of Health Management and Development, Carlos Alvarenga, recently said in an interview.

The drug received authorization for emergency use by different international regulatory entities, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in people with mild to moderate disease. moderate.

The administration is for five days, four tablets in the morning and four tablets in the afternoon.

Although the results of molnupiravir have been positive in preventing complications, it is not a substitute for vaccination against the virus.

The researcher at the University of the Basque Country (UPV), Gorka Orive, pointed out the importance of completing the vaccination and receiving the third dose against COVID-19.

“The protection offered by two doses of the vaccine and by the third or booster dose exceeds 90% against death and hospitalization due to COVID19. Data from the United States, similar to those reported in Europe» — Orive detailed on his Twitter.

On a national scale, more than 4.2 million second doses administered are registered; while more than 1.4 million correspond to third applications of the biological.

Health authorities reiterate the call to the population to continue complying with biosafety protocols to prevent risks of contagion, and in case of respiratory symptoms, consult the nearest health facility.