CECC addresses US control of remdesivir supplies, says Taiwan’s stockpile sufficient to treat 55 patients
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/07/03
By: Ching-Tse Cheng, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Taiwan currently has 333 vials of remdesivir. (CNA photo)
During a regular press conference to give Taiwan's pandemic update, CECC Spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) pointed out that the island nation's remdesivir stockpile is enough to treat 55 patients in serious or critical condition. He noted that the procurement of the antiviral drug is not urgent at the moment since Taiwan does not have patients in need of such treatment, reported CNA.
In response to global concerns that the U.S. has hoarded most of the world's remdesivir supplies, Chuang said the government will continue to negotiate with the Western superpower for a potential sale. Meanwhile, hospitals in Taiwan have other medications that can be relied on, he added.
Though it is not clear if remdesivir can improve survival rates, the drug has shown efficacy in shortening recovery time for severely ill coronavirus patients. It is also the first antiviral drug to be recommended by health officials in the European Union (EU) and approved by Japan.
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