NKTI running out of COVID-19 drugs

MANILA, Philippines — The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) has temporarily stopped dispensing remdesivir and tocilizumab because the hospital is already running out of these COVID-19 drugs.

In a public advisory dated Aug. 29, NKTI said it has been “experiencing a surge in both its patient and ancillary services due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases.”

The hospital said it had to implement the measure because “these life-saving drugs have reached ‘critical stock level’ at the NKTI pharmacy.”

“Relatively, the NKTI will also suspend the dispensing of hemoperfusion cartridges to non-NKTI patients due to limited supplies as well,” the advisory stated.

The hospital appealed for understanding as it continues to accommodate severe COVID-19 cases.

NKTI said it also had to “take into consideration our healthcare workers who are continuously exposed to the virus while in the discharge of patient-care services.”