Question NW787 to the Minister of Health
01 April 2022 - NW787
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, in light of the fact that the Republic also intends to manufacture vaccines and since some people are trypanophobic and would rather consider and/or prefer the pill than the vaccine injections, it would not be viable to also look at the production of COVID-19 pills; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Vaccines are intended to prevent infection or reduce the severity of infection when it occurs. Most vaccines used in the prevention of illnesses are injectable.
In contrast, oral antiviral therapies are generally indicated for the treatment of infections when they occur. Therefore, the purpose of the vaccine compared to oral antiviral therapies are different, and they should not be considered as alternatives.
The role of the National Department of Health is to identify medicines which are safe, effective, cost-effective and affordable for inclusion in the Essential Medicines List. Medicines on the list are then procured for use in the public sector. To date, no antivirals against Covid-19 have met the criteria to be included on the Essential Medicines List.
Manufacturers are responsible for decisions regarding where medicines are manufactured. One of the key considerations that will inform the viability of local manufacturing is the volumes that may be intended for use that will produce the economies of scale leading to affordable prices. The required volume is informed by the size of the population that will benefit from a particular therapy.
END.