Philippines running out of COVID-19 treatments remdesivir, tocilizumab

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said stocks of the investigational drugs remdesivir and tocilizumab are running low amid a fresh surge in infections and vowed P5 million in additional funding for hospitals to replenish their COVID-19 medicine supply.

“The current stocks of remdesivir and tocilizumab are running low. The remaining supplies being used by select hospitals are donations from the WHO (World Health Organization),” it told reporters.

The use of remdesivir and tocilizumab for COVID-19 patients was allowed through a compassionate use permit issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The drugs must have emergency use authorization from the FDA and a positive recommendation from the Health Technology Assessment Council before the government can procure them.

Stocks of dexamethasone, meanwhile, are currently sufficient.

“However, if additional supplies do not arrive and considering the current trend of infection, supplies may only last for another two weeks at most,” the DOH said.

The agency also raised the need for more high flow nasal cannulas (HFNC) to augment the 1,318 in private and public hospitals in Metro Manila.

“The Health Facility and Services Development Team have already proposed the inclusion of funding amounting to P1,020,000,000.00 for the procurement of 2,550 units of HFNC under Bayanihan 3,” the DOH said.

“To ensure unhampered supply of COVID-19 therapeutics, the DOH will be downloading P5 million pesos to each DOH hospital including specialty hospitals in NCR, Central Luzon and Calabarzon,” it added.

Support for health workers, hospitals

The DOH has also transferred over P548 million to the Center for Health Development in Metro Manila, DOH-retained and specialty hospitals, Philippine General Hospital, and other health facilities.

The department said the funds will be used for the hiring of 7,613 medical officers, nurses, medical technologists, radiologic technologists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, nursing attendants, and other allied medical personnel

The funds will cover January to June of this year.

“For hospitals and other health facilities needing further health human resources augmentation, they only need to send an official letter request to the Secretary of Health,” the DOH said.

The Philippines is battling a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases. On Thursday afternoon, it reported a record-high 8,773 new infections that brought the national tally to 693,048 with 580,062 recoveries and 13,095 deaths.  -NB, GMA News