Oral drugs offer Hong Kong patients further hope
- Batches of tablets are yet another weapon to be used in the battle against Covid-19, which has seen authorities constantly playing catch-up
Prompt action is everything when it comes to saving lives. However, time is not on the government’s side, and the Covid-19 death toll continues to rise as more people come down with the coronavirus each day.
It is regrettable that officials are just playing catch-up with the city facing its worst outbreak in two years. Providing timely treatment for those in need must be the priority.
The belated assurance of a sufficient supply of two effective oral drugs comes as a relief to many patients. The first batch of Paxlovid, from Pfizer, was due to arrive on Monday, with more expected in the coming months.
Another from MSD – molnupiravir – has already been delivered in full.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Monday would neither disclose the quantity of drugs nor their cost, but assured there would be an adequate supply. The Hospital Authority earlier said there were enough courses to treat some 160,000 people.
Separately, 300 mainland medical workers will also arrive to ease the city’s overstretched public health care system, with the first batch due to cross the border on Monday.
Similar to Chinese traditional medicine procured with the help of mainland authorities, the two Western drugs are intended for those with mild symptoms and are said to be 30 per cent and 90 per cent effective in reducing hospital admissions and deaths. But they also have limitations.
For instance, molnupiravir is unsuitable for those aged below 18, pregnant or breastfeeding. While such patients may opt for Paxlovid, the drug should be avoided by those with kidney and liver problems. Separately, there are also concerns that the Chinese medication may not suit everyone’s body type.
Given a considerable number of the 700,000 known infections may have since recovered, whether the supply of drugs will be outstripped by demand remains to be seen. Also, many self-tested positive cases may not come forward so as to avoid compulsory isolation, but that does not mean they have no need to medicate.
Most importantly, the drugs should be taken within the first five days after the start of symptoms. Providing timely treatment to patients remains the challenge.
Officials must get ahead of the situation instead of playing catch-up.
