Merck, a major American pharmaceutical company, applied for approval of the new coronavirus for the first time in Japan on the 3rd, but it is recommended to take it within 5 days after the onset, so it is a problem whether it can be delivered to patients early. It will be.

On the 3rd, Merck applied to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare through its Japanese subsidiary for approval of the new coronavirus drug "molnupiravir," which was developed for patients with mild and moderate illness.


This is the first time that an application for approval of a drug has been submitted in Japan, and since it can be taken at home, it is expected to reduce the burden on patients and medical institutions.



In clinical trials, patients at risk of aggravation within 5 days of onset have a 30% reduction in the risk of hospitalization and death, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to decide whether or not to approve it by the end of the year.


On the other hand, the issue is the time to take.


Molnupiravir is recommended to be taken within 5 days of onset of symptoms.


In order to receive a prescription, it is expected that a medical institution will be required to undergo an examination, but if the infection spreads rapidly, the work will be strained and the examination will not be possible immediately, and it will take time for the results to be obtained. There is a risk of this.



In addition, it is expected that in some cases it will take longer than usual to obtain the drug after the test results are available.


If positive, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is considering ways to get patients at home rather than going to the pharmacy to avoid contact with their surroundings as much as possible.


The medical institution that visited the hospital sends a prescription to the patient's nearest pharmacy by fax, etc., and the pharmacist at the pharmacy gives instructions to the patient on how to take the medicine by telephone or online, and then the medicine is delivered through the carrier.


However, since the supply is limited for the time being, it will be distributed to pharmacies designated by the local government, and if the pharmacy designated by patients living in areas with a small population or remote islands is not nearby, delivery may take days. I have.

Pharmacy "follow-up is important"

While expectations for approval of oral medications are increasing at medical institutions and pharmacies, there are voices saying that follow-up when taking at home is important and that prescription standards should be clarified.



Since March last year, the pharmacy on the premises of JR Chiba Station has introduced a system to receive prescriptions from doctors and deliver the medicines to patients' homes.


When the prescription arrives, the pharmacist will contact the patient by phone and give "medication guidance" to explain how to take the medicine, and then deliver it through the delivery company.


It is said that there have been about 1000 cases so far, such as patients with the new corona and elderly people who are refraining from going to the hospital because they are worried about infection.


If the medicine is put into practical use, it is expected that it can be delivered on the same day or the next day when it turns out to be positive by cooperating with the clinic next door.



Mr. Kaori Shiratori, a pharmacist, said, "I feel that increasing the options for taking medicine is a relief. I think it will be important to check the situation after delivering the medicine, and I also have a firm grasp of information on side effects. I want to go. "

Medical institution "I want you to clarify the standard of prescription"

In addition, the clinic next to the pharmacy conducts PCR tests and online medical examinations, but during the fifth wave of summer, about 200 people visit the test a day and it takes a few days for the test results to be obtained. It means that there was also a case.


We believe that it is necessary to call for a medical examination as soon as possible in order to start taking the drug within 5 days after the onset.



Dr. Kurato Yanagimoto of the clinic said, "Intravenous medicine has been available so far, but it was difficult to use it in a clinic like ours. However, even during the 5th wave, patients who were initially mild may suddenly worsen their condition, so follow-up when taking it at home is important. Also, the amount of medicine is limited. I would like the government to clarify the standards for who to prescribe so that the situation does not reach the people who become seriously ill. "