DOH expects arrival of 10,000 tocilizumab vials before end of September

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting the arrival of some 10,000 vials of the anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab before the end of September.

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo

Tocilizumab is being used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

“Sabi sa akin ni Director Melissa Guerrero ng pharmaceutical division ng DOH, by September sana bago magtapos, ‘yung isang drug company ay makakapag-angkat yata ng mga 10,000 vials. Let’s cross our fingers na sana ito ay matuloy,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in an interview with DZBB.

(Director Melissa Guerrero of the pharmaceutical division of the DOH told me that by the end of September, a drug company may be able to source some 10,000 vials. Let’s cross our fingers that this will push through.)

Duque said that while the government awaits the delivery of tocilizumab vials, baricitinib, another anti-inflammatory drug can be used as a substitute for tocilizumab.

According to Duque, the government is now coordinating with the ambassador of Switzerland for the supply of tocilizumab amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

/MUF

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.