There is no concern about the disposal of COVID-19 PO tx

Current stock will be done around November

The KDCA, "Currently has doses for 690,000 people

Discuss the introduction of additional volumes

Regarding the criticism that many of the COVID-19 PO treatments held by the quarantine authorities are likely to be discarded due to the expiration date early next year, it expressed that there is no problem in proper inventory management.

 

As the use of PO drugs is increasing due to the re-proliferation of COVID-19 and an active prescription environment has been established, the current reserves can be used until November, so the introduction of additional supplies should be coordinated, not discarded.

 

On the 18th, the KDCA made this announcement at a regular briefing for COVID-19.

 

Some media reported that based on a report by the National Assembly's Budget Office, 700,000 of the 960,000 PO drugs brought in so far, will have to be discarded after the expiration date in February next year.

 

In the briefing, a question was also asked about the criticism that many of the treatments will be discarded in February next year.

 

The KDCA explained that in order to minimize damage to high-risk groups, it expanded hospital prescription institutions, increased pharmacies in charge, and encouraged medical staff to actively prescribe oral drugs.

 

It also said that the current amount of oral drugs is doses for 690,000 people, which can be responded to by November this year, considering the recent weekly usage.

 

The move is aimed at exhausting all of the current holdings before the disposal time in February next year.

 

An official from the KDCA said, "We plan to flexibly adjust the additional introduction of the COVID-19 oral drug as it currently has a quantity that can be responded to by November rather than concerns about disposal." "We are also discussing with related agencies about extending the expiration date of Paxlovid and Lagevrio," he said.

 

The official said, "We will push for proper inventory management without disposal for Paxlovid, which is scheduled to expire in February next year."