Veterinary molecules for humans. This is the solution found to deal with a possible shortage of drugs. The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) announced Friday that the use of two propofol-based veterinary drugs is now authorized for the resuscitation of human patients, while the epidemic of coronavirus drives a sharp increase in demand worldwide on this type of product.
By a decree prescribing the general measures necessary to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic in the context of the state of health emergency, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe notably authorized the prescription of equivalent "Proposure" and "Propovet" to the "Propofol" anesthetic used for sedating humans.
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2,000% increase in needs in France
If this decree allows the use of these drugs in suitable doses, it especially authorizes the requisition of stocks from veterinarians. The ANSM has already "listed on French territory stocks of propofol for human use with manufacturers" to cover these needs, veterinary propofol coming "in addition", explains the health agency "mobilized" also on the import front drugs for human use for resuscitation.
"For certain products used in resuscitation (curare, propofol, midazolam), the needs have been increased by 2,000% in France and also worldwide, in a very short time," she notes.
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"We are in a war medicine"
Faced with the health crisis, the challenge is health but also industrial. Certain factories dedicated to veterinary products could thus be mobilized. "We are in a war medicine" recognizes an official of the pharmaceutical industry at the microphone of Europe 1.
This contribution of new molecules will make it possible to treat "a few hundred patients for a duration of stay in intensive care around fourteen days on average", further explains the drug agency. "An analysis report has been made, there are no risks", she specifies, promising however a follow-up of possible undesirable effects.