On August 13, alias “Chat” wept as he recounted the problem of where to buy two vials of Tocilizumab, one of the drugs needed by his brother who was hit by COVID-19.
The Quezon City local government paid for the drug worth P40,000 per vial. Tocilizumab is a drug primarily used against rheumatoid arthritis and is also used in COVID-19 treatment.
Viewers of the SRO program sent almost P50,000 in aid to Teleradyo.
But by August 14, his brother’s son, their 80-year-old mother, and another 53-year-old sibling also tested positive for COVID-19.
The mother and nephew are mild, but his sibling needs Tocilizumab again because the Quezon City General Hospital has no supply. The family is worried, especially if the condition of his mother and nephew also worsens.
“Mahirap po, sabay-sabay po ang depression, anxiety, di na po namin alam ang gagawin,” said “Chat.”
Ryan Nisperos’ 74 -year -old mother died despite being treated with Tocilizumab, which the family tried to find.
“Naibigay naman ‘yung isa, naka-reserve pa kami ng isa pa kaya lang di na umabot ang pangalawa kasi bumigay na rin si mama… Maigsi lang ang buhay sir kailangang mahal sa buhay anuhin na kaagad,” said Nisperos.
Supply of Tocilizumab in some hospitals running low
QC General Hospital is not the only hospital with a problem with Tocilizumab. Even some private hospitals no longer have a supply of medicine given to severe and critical COVID-19 patients.
Some private hospitals have already ordered, but no supply has arrived yet, so the patient’s family is the one looking for Tocilizumab.
“We issue na lang reseta, it’s going to be them who will look kung sino may available, you may go to that hospital, pagka walang mai-supply, sasabihin namin talaga,” said Private Hospitals of the Philippines Association Inc. President Jose De Grano.
Tocilizumab is an anti-inflammatory drug with a maximum retail price of P14,000 to P28,000, but sales range from P30,000 to P40,000.
The Department of Health has ensured that government hospitals have an adequate supply and can lend it first to those without a supply.
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