Find medicine to treat hand, foot and mouth disease to prevent outbreaks

The Drug Administration of Vietnam, Ministry of Health , said that the supply of medicine to treat hand, foot and mouth disease has been interrupted, with only a small amount left and plans to import in July, requesting Ho Chi Minh City to reserve to respond to the epidemic.

On June 5, the Drug Administration of Vietnam announced the above, in the context of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health requesting the Ministry of Health to support the supply of sufficient medicine to treat hand, foot and mouth disease including Immunoglobulin and Phenobarbital. Over the past two weeks, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases in Ho Chi Minh City has increased, some severe cases due to the dangerous Enterovirus 71 (EV71) type, causing many complications, easily leading to death.

According to the Drug Administration of Vietnam, the global supply of drugs in general, and drugs for the treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease in particular, has been disrupted recently. The reason is the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts between countries.

There are currently 13 types of drugs containing Immunoglobulin that have been granted valid circulation registration certificates in Vietnam. Of these, Human normal immunoglobulin 100 mg has 2,344 boxes of 250 ml and 215 boxes of 50 ml left. It is expected that in mid-August, the drug manufacturer will supply Vietnam with 2,000 boxes of 250 ml.

There are currently 300 vials of Immunoglobulin 5% left at Cho Ray Hospital. It is expected that by the end of July, the drug manufacturer will supply about 5,000 to 6,000 vials.

In addition, the Drug Administration has granted permission to import Barbiturates - a drug that has not yet been registered for circulation in Vietnam - to meet special treatment needs. The drug manufacturer said it would supply 21,000 vials of the drug (Phenobarbital 200 mg/ml) in early July.

Thus, in early July, the supply of drugs to treat hand, foot and mouth disease will be greater. The Drug Administration of Vietnam has requested the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to implement a plan to reserve, purchase and receive drugs in accordance with the reality to ensure enough drugs for examination and treatment. Hospitals are also proactive in planning, ordering, purchasing and storing drugs.

Phenobarbital solution is used to treat convulsions in children with hand, foot and mouth disease. Photo: Eu-doctor. — Phenobarbital solution is used to treat convulsions in children with hand, foot and mouth disease. Photo: *Eu-doctor*

Hand, foot and mouth disease is in season in Ho Chi Minh City. The disease is most contagious among children (under 5 years old) and there is no vaccine to prevent it or specific treatment.

To prevent the disease, parents should feed their children clean food and clean their hands and toys. Children with suspected signs of illness such as blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth should be isolated from other children and taken to the hospital for examination. During the illness, children should stay home from school to limit the spread to other children.

Minh An

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