Ryu Geun-hyeok, Deputy Minister of Welfare, "Oral Antiviral Drug Introduction to Be Advanced Earlier Than February Next Year"

"'Make 'option' contracts to allow additional purchases'
'Managing surplus vaccines considering situations of sale or exchange'"

Ryu Geun-hyeok, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Ryu Geun-hyuk, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, announced on the 9th that the introduction of oral COVID-19 treatments will be expedited as much as possible to prepare for a large-scale outbreak following the phased return to normal life (With Corona). In addition, he stated that an 'option contract' is being prepared to secure additional quantities of the treatments.

At a press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the morning of the same day, Vice Minister Ryu responded to questions regarding the introduction of oral COVID-19 treatments by saying, "The oral treatments are scheduled to be introduced by February next year, but this should be brought forward." He added, "We will do our utmost to expedite clinical trials and regulatory approvals, monitor overseas cases, and ensure that when oral treatments are used abroad, South Korea can also use them." This indicates a policy to advance the introduction timeline beyond the previous announcement by the quarantine authorities that the pre-purchased quantities would be introduced gradually starting February next year.

Currently, the South Korean government plans to pre-purchase oral COVID-19 treatments sufficient for 404,000 people. Contracts have already been signed for 200,000 doses with MSD (Merck) and 70,000 doses with Pfizer. The remaining 134,000 doses are being negotiated with MSD, Pfizer, and Roche, which is currently developing treatments.

Regarding securing oral treatments, Vice Minister Ryu added, "There is an 'option' contract, so if more medication is needed, we can exercise the option at any time to purchase sufficiently." This means that an option clause was included in the contract to allow negotiations for additional purchases if necessary. However, the quantity available under the option has not yet been specified and will be decided through prior consultation if needed. Vice Minister Ryu also explained, "It is not yet possible to consider when or how much of the option will be exercised. The option contract is signed in preparation for a potential increase in confirmed cases and worsening conditions, as oral treatments could play an important role."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

However, he expressed a reserved stance on whether oral treatments will be a 'game changer' that ends the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to how Tamiflu ended the H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Vice Minister Ryu stated, "We do not see oral treatments as a complete solution; they are considered one element among vaccines, quarantine measures, and other factors." He viewed treatments as complementary, saying, "It is difficult to completely block severe cases caused by COVID-19." He further emphasized, "Fundamentally, quarantine rules must be followed and vaccinations must be administered to respond to COVID-19."

Regarding the target groups for oral treatment administration, he said, "MSD and Pfizer are conducting clinical trials," and "It has not yet been decided which groups will receive the treatments." However, he mentioned that "there is a possibility that high-risk groups will be prioritized."

Meanwhile, in response to concerns that annual booster shots might be required as the government announced in next year's budget plan the procurement of 80 million doses of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and 10 million doses of domestically produced vaccines, totaling 90 million doses, Vice Minister Ryu said, "Experts will discuss this," and "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Vaccination Expert Committee will thoroughly review foreign cases."

As the focus of vaccination shifts to mRNA vaccines, the government is considering options such as reselling or exchanging remaining AstraZeneca (AZ), Janssen, and Novavax vaccines. Vice Minister Ryu stated, "Many countries have exchanged vaccines," and "Considering the possibility of selling vaccines, we are managing the remaining vaccines within reasonable limits and are proceeding with close consultations."

Currently, among the total 67.4 million vaccine doses contracted for introduction this year, including mRNA vaccines, adenovirus vector vaccines such as AZ and Janssen, and recombinant protein vaccines like Novavax, approximately 46.89 million doses remain either undelivered or unused for vaccination as of midnight on the day of the report. All 20 million doses of AZ contracted have been delivered, with 820,000 doses remaining unused. For Janssen, only 1.514 million doses out of 7.4 million contracted have been delivered; among these, 183,000 doses have not yet been used for vaccination. Adding the 5.886 million undelivered doses, a total of 6.069 million doses are available for vaccination. Novavax has not been approved domestically or internationally, so none of the contracted 40 million doses have been delivered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.