Mônica Bergamo: Doctor says it is ‘absurd’ Brazil still does not adopt medicine against Covid and defends that SP negotiates purchase

Doctors from the Covid-19 committee who advise the governor of São Paulo, João Doria (PSDB), have defended the need for immediate purchase of medicines that have proven effectiveness against the disease.

EMERGENCY ROOM

Among the drugs that do work and that are already being adopted in the US, the UK and the European Union are the antivirals Paxlovid, Molnupiravir and Remdesivir.

Emergency 2

“It is absurd that, after two years of a pandemic, Brazil still does not provide effective treatments to patients”, says infectologist Esper Kallás, from the USP School of Medicine. “We have around 800 people dying a day in the country, and drugs that could save them are not yet used here. It’s unbelievable”, he adds.

SLOW RUNNING

He says that molnupiravir, for example, is already being used even in Venezuela, a country that is going through all kinds of difficulties. “It makes no sense for Brazil to still be in the discussion phase of this matter,” he says. “It has no justification.”

Slow March 2

Anvisa has already approved at least four substances (the antiviral Redemsivir and three monoclonal treatments, which are proteins produced in laboratories) that work against Covid. None of them, however, were incorporated into the SUS.

Accelerates, Brazil

Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are still being analyzed by the agency, but they are unlikely to be stopped — they are already being used in countries with a long tradition of drug inspection. Therefore, the doctors defend that the negotiations with the laboratories advance immediately.

Accelerate 2

Esper Kallás says that Paxlovid, the first authorized home therapy against the coronavirus and already widely adopted in the US, is 89% effective against hospitalizations and deaths from Covid. Remdesivir, 86%. “There are fewer patients with the disease in hospitals, which would allow us to resume treatments for other diseases and save even more lives”, he says.

Accelerate 3

The natural thing would be the purchase of medicines by the Ministry of Health, which has more resources and negotiating power. By acquiring large quantities for all of Brazil, the folder would be able to lower the prices of medicines.

Accelerate 4

Faced with the slow pace seen so far, however, experts argue that the government of São Paulo should take the lead and start negotiations for the purchase of medicines.

VANGUARD

“The State of São Paulo has a history of primacy and avant-garding in the adoption of public policies. And must act, as he always did. On many occasions of history, the state has said norms that were innovative and then incorporated by the whole Brazil, driving policies country”, says the infectious disease specialist. “We can no longer see people dying. We cannot stand still”, he concludes.

CANDLES

The governor of São Paulo, João Doria (PSDB), and the mayor of the capital, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), attended the 40th birthday party of the president of the PSDB in the city of São Paulo, Fernando Alfredo. The celebration was held last Friday (18), at Bar Brahma, in the central region of the capital.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA and MANOELLA SMITH}