Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) — Hospitals and local government units can now procure their own supply of Ronapreve for COVID-19 treatment without having to go through the government, the Department of Health said.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the DOH has issued Administrative Order 2021-0053
“Hindi na kailangang DOH pa ang bumili tapos magpapa-allocate pa lahat ng ospital, para mas mabilis at mas magamit agad,” she said in a media briefing on Monday.
[Translation: DOH does not have to buy it for the allocation of hospitals so it speeds up the process.]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October issued the emergency use authorization for Ronapreve and recommended its use for patients aged 12 and above with mild to moderate coronavirus symptoms.
Early clinical trial results showed Ronapreve, which is a combination of two virus-neutralizing antibodies, could reduce risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 by “at least 70%,” the FDA said.
It is being developed by foreign biotechnology firms Regeneron and Roche.
Ronapreve is also currently approved for emergency use in a number of countries, including the United States, India, and Canada.
