COVID-19 drugs hope against the pandemic: experts
The use of Molnupiravir has already been approved and in the next few days, Paxlovid could also be authorized. The university researchers stressed that the most effective thing to do is to continue with the care measures already known and to get vaccinated.
Despite the approval of the use of Molnupiravir, and that in the next few days the authorization of Paxlovid could be added, medicines for the care of patients with COVID-19, it is necessary to continue with the care measures already known and to apply the vaccine, said UNAM researchers Susana López Charretón, virologist of the Institute of Biotechnology, and Omar Francisco Carrasco Ortega, head of the Department of Pharmacology.
"The advantage of these two drugs is that they are oral and that you can take them at home, they are a great hope", although the drugs have demonstrated their efficacy against all variants of COVID-19, their elaboration is delayed and there is still not enough production to reach Mexico until the middle of the year, specified López Charretón.
Initial projections indicate that both drugs will be prescribed to high-risk individuals: those over the age of majority and/or with some comorbidity, and would be restricted for children, pregnant women, and patients with renal or hepatic affections. The prescription and monitoring of the treatment should be in the hands of a health professional. All new drugs when starting to be used under the emergency system have not complied with some monitoring issues in special populations.
The university experts reiterate the call of the UNAM specialists in the sense that the most effective thing to do is to continue with the care measures already known and to go for the vaccine. "Medications would only help us at a certain moment, and they are not magic cures. We know that Monulpiravir prevents 50 percent of hospitalizations; Paxlovid is a little better, but either way, I think prevention is better than having to repair the damage," concluded Susana López Charretón.
"It is time to reinforce everything that we already know is very effective: healthy distance, open spaces, mouth covers, hand washing, use of alcohol in case there is no soap and water. These are the measures that will undoubtedly control the pandemic," concluded Omar Francisco Carrasco.
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