Gov’t readying fiscal space to buy antiviral pills vs COVID in 2022, senators told

FILE PHOTO: An experimental COVID-19 treatment pill called molnupiravir being developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is seen in this undated handout photo released by Merck & Co Inc and obtained by Reuters May 17, 2021. Merck & Co Inc/Handout via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — The government is preparing fiscal space to procure antiviral pills against COVID-19 in 2022 as it anticipates the availability of supply.

The assurance was given to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who asked if the government is taking steps to ensure that the Philippines procure oral antiviral medicines against COVID-19 next year.

“I am told that there [is] already COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment being manufactured in other countries that show promising results, like the Molnupiravir,” Sotto inquired during the Senate’s plenary debates on the proposed 2022 budget of the Department of Health (DOH).

Sotto also mentioned the antiviral COVID-19 pill developed by Pfizer, which is now seeking its use in the United States.

“Baka naman mahuli na naman tayo (We might fall behind again)…are you including this in your budget for that kind of treatment for 2022?” he added.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who was sponsoring the DOH budget, noted that a compassionate use has so far been approved for the Molnupiravir drug while other antiviral medicines are still undergoing discussions.

READ: Anti-COVID-19 pill may be available in PH starting November

“I had an off-the-record discussion with [vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez] and [DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III] about this and they are anticipating the availability of these products and anticipating that we will be purchasing so they are preparing the fiscal space to be able to make those purchases also,” Cayetano said.

Further, Cayetano said the finance committee, which she is a vice chairperson of, is eyeing a budget language for the 2022 spending bill to provide flexibility in purchasing these medicines.

“The entry in the budget can be ‘purchase of vaccines/medication’ so there can be flexibility. Kasi kung maganda na yung vaccination nation (Because if our vaccination is effective) and then we prefer [to use the budget for] medicines…then the budget allows for that flexibility,” she added.

The executive department proposed a P45.3-billion budget under the unprogrammed appropriations to purchase the booster shots for 2022.

The Senate version of the proposed 2022 budget added P16-billion to that amount.

READ: Senate panel pushes for P16-B add’l budget for 3rd vaccine doses, booster shot

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