Decision 4109/QD-BYT 2021 on temporary guidance "List of drugs for outpatient treatment for people infected with COVID-19 at home" issued by the Minister of Health

DECISION

PROVISIONAL GUIDELINES ON “LIST OF MEDICINES FOR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AT HOME FOR PERSONS INFECTED WITH COVID-19”

MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to Law on prevention and control of infectious diseases dated 2007;

Pursuant to Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2009;

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated June 20, 2017 of the Government on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to Decision No. 170/QD-TTg dated January 30, 2020 of Prime Minister on establishment of National Steering Committee for management of pneumonia caused by novel Corona virus;

At request of Director General of Vietnam Administration of Medical Services.

HEREBY DECIDES:

Article 1. The “List of medicines for outpatient treatment at home for persons infected with COVID-19” is attached to this Decision.

1. Groups of medicine in the List include:

a) Antipyretic, analgesic drugs;

b) Medicine for balancing electrolytes;

c) Medicine for boosting health and resistance;

d) Throat disinfectant;

dd) Antiviral drugs;

e) Corticosteroid anti-flammatory medicine;

g) Anticoagulant.

2. Antiviral drugs: Currently not licensed by Ministry of Health for circulation in case of emergency or licensed for official circulation. Medicine used in clinical testing and community research as per research outlines approved by Biomedical Ethics Committee - Ministry of Health and permitted by Ministry of Health.

3. Corticosteroid anti-flammatory medicine and anticoagulant

a) Produce outpatient prescription according to Circular No. 52/2017/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2017 of Ministry of Health and Circular No. 18/2018/TT-BYT dated August 22, 2018 of Ministry of Health on amendment to Circular No. 52/2017/TT-BYT.

b) Produce prescriptions of corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medicines and anticoagulant as per Guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 caused by the novel Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) attached to Decision No. 3416/QD-BYT dated July 14, 2021 of Minister of Health and relevant guidelines on the following basis: designate treatment in combination with corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medicine and anticoagulant when patients exhibit any of early symptoms of respiratory failure without being transported to receipt and treatment facilities for COVID-19 patients in mild, severe, and life-threatening conditions and patients not advised against the medicine (as per medicine use instructions under product registration license).  Symptoms of respiratory failure include:

(1) Dyspnea, short breath, or dyspnea increasing with activity (standing up, moving around the house) or irregular breathing pattern in children: grunting, nose flaring, wheezing, retractions, and/or

(2) Breathing rate (in children, count number of breaths taken in 1 minute when the children lie still without crying):

≥ 21 breaths/minute in adults;

≥ 30 breaths/minute in children of 5 to under 12 years old;

≥ 40 breaths/minute in children of 1 to under 5 years old;

and/or

(3) SpO2 ≤ 95% (if measurable), (upon detecting any irregularity, measure twice after 30 seconds to 1 minute, when doing so, maintain measuring positions).

c) When producing prescriptions, examine all contraindications, extract information on medicine currently used by patients to avoid serious medicine interactions when prescribing. Advise patients or caretakers about important unwanted side-effects to promptly detect and respond accordingly during use.

Article 2. The provisional guidelines on “List of medicines for outpatient treatment at home for persons infected with COVID-19” are applied in facilities assigned to oversee COVID-19 infected cases at home according to direction of Departments of Health of provinces, central-affiliated cities, and local National Steering Committees for COVID-19 epidemic management.

Article 3. Departments of Health of provinces and central-affiliated cities shall rely on the provisional guidelines on “List of medicines for outpatient treatment at home for persons infected with COVID-19” to develop guidelines and implement “List of medicines for outpatient treatment at home for persons infected with COVID-19” in provinces and central-affiliated cities. The provisional guidelines on “List of medicines for outpatient treatment at home for persons infected with COVID-19” shall be applied at the same time as Decision No. 4038/QD-BYT dated August 1, 2021 of Minister of Health on issuance of “Provisional guidelines on management of COVID-19 cases at home”.

Article 4. This Decision comes into effect from the day of signing.

Article 5. Chief of the Ministry Office, Chief Ministry Inspectorate, Director General, Directors of General Departments, Departments affiliated to Ministry of Health, Directors of Departments of Health of provinces and central-affiliated cities, Chairpersons of Hospitals and Institutes affiliated to Ministry of Health, heads of medical sector shall implement this Decision./.

LIST

MEDICINE FOR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AT HOME PERSONS INFECTED WITH COVID-19
(Attached to Decision No. 4109/QD-BYT dated August 26, 2021 of Minister of Health)

1 Medicine must be prescribed by doctors and/or physicians according to Guidelines on prescription and treatment for COVID-19 caused by the novel Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) attached to Decision No. 3416/QD-BYT dated July 14, 2021 of Minister of Health.

2 Medicine must be prescribed by doctors and/or physicians according to Guidelines on prescription and treatment for COVID-19 caused by the novel Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) and patients assessed to be facing risk of deep vein thrombosis as per PADUA scale

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