Large amount of hand-foot-mouth disease treatment drug provided to hospitals
Local hospitals have been supplied with 6,000 bottles of Plasma-derived Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) for treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) which were delivered to Vietnam last week, according to the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health.
The country recorded a total of 12,600 HFMD patients during the first six months of 2023 (Photo: congthuong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Local hospitals have been suppliedwith 6,000 bottles of Plasma-derived Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) fortreatment of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) which were delivered toVietnam last week, according to the Drug Administration of Vietnam under theMinistry of Health.
As the number of HFMD infections is rising, the Ministry ofHealth has directed importers to import more medicine tomeet the demands of hospitals, the administration said.
It said that currently, the amount of medicines for HFMDtreatment has basically met the demand of hospitals.
IVIG is an effective adjuvant treatment used in severe casesof HFMD and helps to reduce the rate of transfer, as well as the rate of severecomplications of the disease in children. However, Vietnam has yet to make the drug domestically.
The production of the drug is entirely dependent on thesupply of plasma through blood donation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thenumber of people donating their blood decreased significantly, a factor whichcaused a shortage of raw materials for Immunoglobulin production on a globalscale.
In this context, since the end of last December, theMinistry of Health has directed medical facilities and importers to order themedicine to ensure IVIG supply. However, the complicated developments of HFMDand higher number of severe cases this year have led to asurge in demand.
The ministry has also provided professional guidance tomedical facilities and strengthened preventive measures against the disease,minimising deaths.
According to the Ministry of Health, the country recorded atotal of 12,600 HFMD patients during the first six months of 2023. In only onemonth from May 19 to June 18, 5,383 cases were reported./.
The Ministry of Health has ordered preventive medicine units and facilities across the nation to strengthen hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) prevention in response to the increase in the number of cases in major cities across the nation.
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The country recorded a total of 12,600 HFMD patients during the first six months of 2023 (Photo: congthuong.vn) 
