The supply of the new coronavirus oral drug "Zokoba", which can be taken by patients with a low risk of severe illness, to medical institutions began in earnest on the 28th.

"Zokoba" developed by Shionogi Pharmaceutical is characterized by the fact that it can be taken from the mild stage even for patients with a low risk of becoming severe, and was approved for emergency use on the 22nd of this month.

A clinic in Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture, which has a fever outpatient clinic, received it on the 26th, and on the 28th, doctors confirmed the prescription method and precautions at a meeting.



Until the middle of last month, the clinic had about 20 positive people a day for the new coronavirus, but since the end of the month, the number of patients has increased rapidly, and 46 people were confirmed to be infected on the 28th. It means that "Zokova" was prescribed to the patient.

Makiko Fujikawa, director of the Ayumi Clinic, said, "Until now, even young patients who are at low risk of becoming severe have symptoms such as sore throats and coughs, and have asked us to prescribe medicines that suppress the virus. There are few results regarding how much the symptoms improve, but there are no reports of major side effects, so I would like to use it with high expectations."



Regarding "Zokoba", the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has signed a contract with Shionogi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to purchase 1 million doses of "Zokova". We plan to start full-scale supply from today and expand it gradually.