The United States has thawed the entire July production and 90 percent of the August and September doses of the drug remedies, which have been shown to be effective in severe coronary infections.
In addition to the part ordered by the USA, manufacturer Gilead has also donated a number of doses to certain countries - including Sweden. How much Sweden has received is classified, but according to Maria Landgren, it will not suffice for all patients who need the medicine.
Landgren is head of pharmaceuticals at Region Skåne and is part of the "four-county collaboration" which has received the manufacturer's donation.
- Right now we have received a donation from Gilead who is heading out into the country's regions. That's what we have. Then we hope that we will have access to the medicine this fall, ”says Maria Landgren.
How big is Sweden's stock of remedies?
- Besides the donations, we have nothing. We have not been able to get hold of it in Sweden.
"Not enough for all patients"Is it enough for everyone who needs?
- No, it does not. There is a limited amount.
Do you feel worried about the low availability of the medicine?
- Yes, that is, it is a drug that we hope to have and that we want in the treatment of these patients. We will have some more sick time so I really hope we will have access to the medicine this fall.
However, according to Maria Landgren, it is difficult to know what the possibilities of placing an order for the autumn look like. Now the donations have been divided between Sweden's regions.
- It will go to all regions. We have a distribution model that is based partly on the population and partly on how burdened one is by the pandemic. If you have a large population and a high load, you will obviously get more.
In the next few weeks, Maria Landgren and her colleagues will be in close contact with the country's infectious doctors and then they will have a better picture of the drug and how great the need will be in the future.