The EU is discussing poisonous drugs against Covid, it is not yet known whether Hungary will enter
More and more members are deciding to purchase new anti-coronavirus drugs on their own. The Pfizer and Merck formulations are effective in preventing the virus from spreading in the body after infection, so experts say they could play an important role in fighting the epidemic. The European Commission was thinking like a joint venture on vaccines, but the negotiations could not be concluded. In Hungary, with the permission of the local authorities, favipiravir and remdesivir have been used before, but it is possible that the government will issue a new shipment.
Experts say home-made antiviral drugs can make a breakthrough in the fight against the epidemic. For example, Pfizer tablets are 89 deadly effective in preventing hospitalization and treatment if started within three days of the first symptoms of a coronavirus infection. A similar tablet has been launched by Merck, which is less effective than Pfizer, but still greatly prevents the spread of viruses in the human body.
Acquisition in the market has begun
Belgian authorities announced on Wednesday that Pfizer Plaxlovid tablets and Merck’s Molnupiravir will also be available to those at risk for coronavirus infections. In Italy, patients will be able to receive Molnupiravir as early as this week, although it will be marketed there as Lagevrio. Belgium ordered a total of 20,000 of the two products. Germany ordered one million doses of Pfizer Plaxlovid back in December. France had previously ordered 50,000 of Merck’s product, but this was later canceled and a Pfizer tablet was chosen. Your current marketing authorization is pending at the European Medicines Agency. In each case, however, the EMA issued an opinion on the conditions under which these preparations could be used in an emergency. authorities can already use the treatment in at-risk patients who have been diagnosed with a coronavirus infection but are not on a ventilator.
The EU wants joint procurement, but there is no contract yet
At the EU summit in December, EU leaders supported the launch of a joint procurement of home antivirals, as in previous vaccine purchases. As with vaccine purchases, similar purchase prices could be negotiated on equal terms by the committee if negotiated on behalf of the entire bloc. However, the process has not yet been completed, and a spokesman for the board said at Euronews’ request that preliminary talks were underway, the details of which could not be commented on. According to the rules, joint procurement can only start if at least four members and the European Commission agree.
Europe is already lagging behind America
The United States entered the market much earlier and at a much higher stake than European orders. Their first contract was signed in November to wait for 20 million Pfizer tablets. The Washington government paid $ 5.29 billion in the deal. Euronews also contacted Merck and Pfizer. One of them is Pfizer’s press department responding. They acknowledged they already have contracts with several European countries.
“We are in talks with more than a hundred countries to ship Plaxlovid. They include the European Commission and European governments. We have already agreed with several countries,” Pfizer said in a statement.
“Our goal is to get our antiviral products to each country as quickly as possible, taking into account local licensing procedures and supply contracts,” they wrote.
These are very expensive drugs
The key issue in negotiations with pharmaceutical giants may be the purchase price, as a treatment can cost hundreds of euros. Contracts between the merger and companies are not public. However, Anni reveals that $ 700, or more than $ 600, is being charged in the United States for Merck Molnuparivir. Pfizer has previously agreed to provide standards at a discount to 95 low- and middle-income countries to produce a low-cost version of the drug in local factories. However, the countries of the European Union are not in this group.
Hungary is on separate roads, but it can also get into joint procurement
Two anti-coronavirus drugs have been available in Hungary since 2020. Favipira can be prescribed by GPs, and taking it at home is said by the authorities to help treat the virus. Remdesivir is usually used in the clinical phase. The use of two products has been licensed by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Food Health. It is not yet clear whether Hungary is going to order from the future procurement under negotiation to get Pfizer and Merck tablets. We have sent our questions to the Ministry of Human Resources, which coordinates the procurement, but so far no answer has been received. Euronews also inquired about the matter at the Government Information on 2 December, when Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, did not rule out the possibility of Hungary ordering with the help of the EU program. “If we see the effectiveness of the drugs, we will decide on it,” the minister said.