The gov is pushing to supply COVID-19 PO tx with pharmacies

Discussion of Rx-dispensing-delivery plan at today's meeting of pharmaceutical organizations

Medication consultation for 270 pharmacies in charge

The government is taking full-fledged steps to supply COVID-19 PO treatment to pharmacies.

 

The Central Disaster and Safety Counters Headquaters (CDSCHQ) will hold an online meeting this afternoon (10th) with drug organizations participating and discuss oral corona treatment prescriptions and dispensing.

 

In other words, the direction of the CDSCHQ has been virtually determined from prescription, preparation, and drug delivery.

 

The CDSCHQ will then provide online education on preparation, medication guidance, and precautions to 270 pharmacies nationwide that are in charge of supplying oral corona treatments.

 

The decision is based on the judgment that education is needed because the method of taking the medicine is complicated.

 

The main dosage of Paxlovid should be taken Nimatrelvir 300 mg (2 pink tablets of 150mg) and Ritonavir 100mg , twice a day (12 hours) for 5 days.

 

According to the CDSCHQ, Pfizer's Paxlovid is expected to enter Korea around the 13th, with initial supplies expected to be less than 50,000 people.

 

According to the current status of government contracts, treatments for a total of 1 million and 44,000 people have been secured, including Paxlovid foe 762,000 people and MSD Molnupiravir for 242,000 people.

 

Oral treatments can be used in mild and moderate patients with high probability of severe illness.

 

However, as the volume is limited, it is highly likely to be administered to elderly patients aged 60 or older in hospitals or life treatment centers.

 

People with underlying diseases such as chronic lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity can also be targeted.

 

The method of delivery of the drug has not been decided yet.

 

More than 270 pharmacies nationwide, which are in charge of preparing drugs for home care patients, prepare and supply oral treatments as regional bases.

 

Now, when a doctor gives a prescription, the pharmacy dispenses medicine, and public health centers and local government employees deliver the medicine to home treatment patients.

 

Discussions are still underway over whether oral treatments will follow this method or whether pharmacies will be in charge of delivery.

 

An official from the MOHW said, "We discussed with the Pharmaceutical Association on the 7th about the delivery method, but it was not concluded," adding, "In the beginning, it could be a direction to expand the role of pharmacies in the future."