Vietnam turns focus to monkeypox drugs

Drugs in which tecovirimat, brincidofvir, cidofovir, and probenecid are active ingredients are recommended by WHO to treat the viral disease.

Monkeypox vaccines have also been approved for distribution in several countries.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam on Wednesday called on drug companies to find and import ingredients and produce the drugs.

Meanwhile, it would prioritize approval documents for the import and distribution of these drugs and their ingredients.

WHO has declared a global health emergency over the monkeypox outbreak, and Vietnam’s health ministry has issued guidance for preventing and treating the disease.

As of July 30 WHO said there had been over 21,000 monkeypox cases in 78 countries and territories, including seven deaths.

Typical monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, skin lesions, and rashes. It is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and lesion material.

Vietnam has not recorded any cases so far. Health officials have admitted that the country currently lacks sufficient testing capabilities to detect monkeypox.