Indonesian Lung Doctors Association: Molnupiravir And Paxlovid Recommended For COVID-19 Patients

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The General Chairman of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), Agus Dwi Susanto said, Molnupiravir and Paxlovid had been designated by the government as antiviral drugs for COVID-19 patients to deal with the third wave of the pandemic.

"The antiviral drug has received a recommendation from a medical professional organization that is included in the update of the 4th (latest) edition of the COVID-19 Management Manual", said Agus Dwi Susanto at an online press conference, Jakarta, reported Antara on Wednesday, February 9.

The handbook was compiled by five professional medical organizations, namely the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), the Indonesian Cardiovascular Specialist Doctors Association (PERKI), the Indonesian Association of Internal Medicine Specialists (PAPDI), the Indonesian Association of Anesthesiologists and Intensive Therapists (PERDATIN), and Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI).

In the book, it is written that Molnupiravir is intended for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. The drug is intended to reduce the severity of patients with mild and moderate symptoms and prevent complications while reducing the risk of transmission.

"Molnupiravir is recommended and it's in the books", he said. The Ministry of Health has allocated a total of 20 million doses of antiviral drugs Avigan or Favipiravir and Molnupiravir for domestic needs.

Agus added that COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have continued to increase rapidly since January until now. The situation was predicted due to the influence of the new variant of Omicron. "Some hospitals that report the proportion of Omicron are 60-70 percent", he said.

The launch of the latest edition of the COVID-19 management manual, edition 4, was published by adjusting the current pandemic situation nationally and internationally, Agus added.

"The most important point is that we emphasize asymptomatic and mild cases, so the management is quite independent isolation at home or centralized isolation appointed by the government. Medicines can be obtained according to degrees and medical recommendations", he said.