By Sue-Ann Wayow
A prefered drug used in Covid-19 care is in shortage in Trinidad and Tobago.
This was confirmed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram who said the steroid drugs methylprednisolone and dexamethasone were on a red list.
Methylprednisolone was used primarily prescribed for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and has been shown to have positive effects on critically ill patients with a “faster onset of action,” Dr Parasram said.
The alternative steroid drug dexamethasone is also used to suppress the immune system and decrease inflammation and was presently being used for Covid-19 patients in the parallel healthcare system he said.
Speaking the Ministry of Health’s virtual Covid-19 update, Dr Parasram said, “We have put both drugs on a red list, on a watch list for Covid-19, in terms of what we keep a very close eye on as it relates to supply management.”
He added, “We find that everything that is Covid-19 related since last year, has undergone some period where there are global shortages and hence the reason we have a very close eye on it. We are working with the suppliers, we are working with NIPDEC (National Insurance Property Development Company) Limited to ensure that we get it in as soon as we can.”
Dr Parasram said the latest update received was that with methylprednisolone, the drugs were at the ports and should be back in the system as soon as possible.
