What do you think about the cost of Molacovir to treat Covid?

There have been many complaints about the price of the drug Molacovir, which is being manufactured in Laos to treat the early stages of Covid-19 and is on sale at 400,000 kip. With more and more people wanting to buy the pills, Vientiane Times asked members of the public if they thought this price was appropriate.

Ms Noy Keomany, a resident of Luang Prabang province: I think it’s quite expensive for people on low incomes. I urge the authorities to consider the needs of the poorest people, especially families where several people have contracted Covid. They only make enough money to buy the food they need each day, but if they get Covid and have to buy medicine, how can they possibly afford it? I’ve read about all the huge donations given to Laos by other countries and international organisations, with figures in the millions, so what has happened to all this money? If possible, the authorities should subsidise the cost of this drug so that the poorest people can get it free of charge.

Ms Katay Chanthavy, a businesswoman in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane: I don’t think 400,000 kip is expensive in light of the benefits it brings. If it can cure people of Covid, so that more people are in good health, it means people have more time to earn money. If you don’t want to buy this medicine, then you should make sure you adhere to all the preventive measures laid down to keep everyone safe. However, it is hard for people on low incomes. I’d like the authorities to ask for donations to help poor families and to raise money to provide financial support for people in need. 

Ms Kita Simeung, a government official in Xayaboury province: I
think the price is quite high because this drug was invented in the
United States and some of the ingredients may not be available in Laos
so we have to buy them from other countries at a high price. I have
heard that in other countries the cost of this drug is about US$500, but in Laos we can get it for 400,000 kip, which is pretty good in my opinion. Here in Laos we’re able to buy most types of medication for a much lower price than in other countries.

Ms Sonephet, a government official in Luang Namtha province: As far as I’m concerned, 400,000 kip is not a high price to pay for something
that’s going to prevent me from dying. If people think it’s too expensive,
maybe they will be more careful about following the rules on Covid
prevention. But it is an unacceptable burden on poor families if they have to pay to buy this new drug and it means they could be denied it because they have no money. These days, some people think it’s better to just stay at home and treat their symptoms themselves rather than going to a hospital. But there’s a risk that if they don’t understand the situation properly and don’t know the right things to do, they may not survive. There’s also the risk that people will fall prey to fake drugs advertised online. I think we will see the death rate rising.

Dr Bounxou Keohavong, Director General of the Department of Food and Drugs, Ministry of Health: The ministry has set the wholesale and retail price of Molacovir produced in Laos at 350,000 to 400,000 kip for one course of treatment and has instructed that it not be sold for more than 400,000 kip. The ministry has asked factories to increase production and provide Molacovir for low-wage patients at an affordable price. One factory says it has the capacity to increase production but adds that the government would have to subsidise production costs by paying 50 percent of the purchase price of the chemicals needed, or paying 30 percent of the cost of one course of treatment. However, the government does not have the financial resources to subsidise the factory’s production costs.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update March 31, 2022)