Minister of Health Budi says Indonesia is currently exploring COVID drugs Molnupiravir and AT-527

Menteri Kesehatan Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Foto: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said that the new antiviral drug variants being developed by several world manufacturers gave hope for Indonesia to transition from a pandemic to a COVID-19 endemic.

"Regarding medicines, there are many developments of new types of drugs that promote or give hope so that they can handle this pandemic", said Budi Gunadi Sadikin when delivering a press statement regarding the PPKM Evaluation which was followed by the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube Channel from Jakarta, Antara, Monday, 18 October.

Indonesia can get out of the pandemic situation faster if the COVID-19 vaccination program is equipped with the availability of antiviral drugs.

According to Budi, the government has conducted clinical trials for several drugs that are categorized as monoclonal antibodies, such as Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab.

In addition, the Ministry of Health is also exploring several new antiviral drugs that are currently being discussed, including Molnupiravir and AT-527.

"We are also studying an antiviral drug called Proxalutamide produced by Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals from China", he said.

Budi added that the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the progress of phase 3 clinical trials of COVID-19 antiviral drugs. "For drugs that are indeed promising, we offer that phase 3 clinical trials be carried out in Indonesia", he said.

With this policy, Budi hopes that Indonesia can quickly find out the suitability of the new drug so that it can be immediately used in the country.

"Later we will continue to update its developments and ask for prayers from all of our friends so that we can get through this pandemic as soon as it becomes endemic", he said.