"The price of intravenous human immune globulin has been rising, with the price rising every day. Originally, the price of a 2.5-gram bottle was more than 300 to 400 yuan, but yesterday it rose to 1,300 yuan, and today the resale price has directly risen to 2,200 yuan." Recently, many netizens have shared their experiences of purchasing intravenous human immune globulin on social platforms. It was reported on the Internet that some hospitals use intravenous human immune globulin as one of the drugs for severe COVID-19. Subsequently, many netizens asked for medicine on social platforms, and the price of intravenous human immune globulin soared. Many experts have interpreted this.
Gamma globulin is only suitable for severe infections
Recently, intravenous gamma globulin, a treatment drug recommended in the ninth edition of the diagnosis and treatment plan, has triggered many netizens to buy it. In this regard, Wang Guiqiang introduced that intravenous gamma globulin can reduce inflammatory reactions, but it is only recommended to be used when treating severely ill patients. “Basically, it is only needed for patients entering the ICU, and it must be used under specific circumstances such as inflammatory factor storms to be effective. It is not suitable for use at home and has no effect in preventing new coronavirus infection. It is not recommended. Stock up at home."
Deng Tiying, clinical pharmacist and deputy chief pharmacist of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuhan First Hospital, said in an interview with reporters that COVID-19 immune globulin is a specialized new coronavirus immune globulin that contains a large number of antibodies against the new coronavirus. Common intravenous human immune globulin on the market is generally used for patients with severe bacterial or viral infections, close contacts of viral hepatitis, elderly patients with low immunity and serious illness, neonatal sepsis, etc. On the basis of other treatments, intravenous human immunoglobulin is sometimes needed as an auxiliary treatment to temporarily improve the body's immunity.
On November 2, staff at several pharmacies in Beijing told People's Daily Health Client reporters that citizens have frequently come to inquire about intravenous human immune globulin. However, because it is an injection drug, it needs to be stored at low temperature and refrigerated, and not all pharmacies sell it.
In special periods, it should be reserved for patients who really need it.
"Intravenous human immune globulin is a blood product. Improper use will bring many side effects, and the drug cannot expand production capacity like antipyretics. In special periods when supply exceeds demand, its use should be strictly controlled and reserved for patients who really need it. " Fu Wei, deputy chief pharmacist, Li Meng, chief pharmacist, and Yan Li, chief physician of the Department of Critical Care Medicine, all told reporters that intravenous human immunoglobulin has limited effect on improving immunity in normal humans. Immunity levels in ordinary healthy people are normal and cannot be further improved by using immune enhancers. Blind supplementation of foreign immune globulin will deprive the immune system of the opportunity to build combat "memory" and produce antibodies.
More news
Recently, some antiviral drugs used to treat new coronavirus infection have been dubbed "special drugs", which has attracted the attention and rush of many netizens. Is it necessary to stock up on these antiviral drugs? How to use it scientifically and rationally? The National Health Commission organized Tong Zhaohui, deputy director of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, director of the Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Wang Guiqiang, director of the Infectious Diseases Department of Peking University First Hospital, to respond.
How to scientifically understand antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19?
"First of all, it must be clear that there is currently no specific drug for the new coronavirus. Some antiviral drugs can inhibit and interfere with the replication of the new coronavirus, but these drugs need to be used in the early stages of infection and must be used under the guidance of a doctor." Tong Zhaohui said.
Tong Zhaohui said that antiviral drugs are more effective when used within 5 days of onset, especially within 48 hours.When the virus has just entered the human body and has not replicated in large numbers, antiviral drugs can reduce the load of the virus, reduce the virus's attack on the human immune system, and then reduce the progression of the disease to severe or critical illness through its own resistance . If the onset time is too long and the condition has progressed to severe or critical illness, antiviral drugs will be ineffective.
"At the same time, these antiviral drugs are conditionally recommended for specific groups of people. They can effectively reduce the rate of severe disease for high-risk groups with mild and common symptoms that may develop into severe and critical forms, such as elderly people with underlying diseases. However, they are useless for use on young adults and other groups without high-risk factors," Tong Zhaohui said.
What are the risks of improper use of antiviral drugs?
Experts remind that there are many precautions when using antiviral drugs. Adverse reactions may occur and interactions with other drugs may occur. They must be used under the guidance of a doctor. It is not recommended that the public stock up on drugs and use them at home.
"For example, some patients with severe liver and kidney damage may need to adjust the dosage of antiviral drugs or even be unable to use these drugs; if they are taking some statins , they cannot use drugs such as nematvir at the same time. If patients blindly take drugs at home, there are safety risks." Wang Guiqiang said.
Wang Guiqiang said that new coronavirus infection emphasizes comprehensive treatment and early intervention. For people at high risk of severe illness, especially bedridden elderly people with underlying diseases, early and close monitoring and follow-up are recommended. "When symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing or low blood oxygen saturation occur, you should go to a hospital or community health service institution for medical treatment in time. Early treatment includes antiviral drugs and oxygen therapy. Now cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have launched oxygen therapy services at the community level."
Tong Zhaohui also reminded that medical staff and professionals must strengthen medication training on new antiviral drugs, fully understand their mechanisms of action, indications, adverse reactions and interactions with other drugs, so as to reduce the risks of clinical use of drugs.
Source: Xinhua Viewpoint, Morning News, Health Times
