Starting on Monday next week, telemedicine for COVID-19 diagnosis will be limited to remote areas, while people who tested positive for the virus should seek medical attention in person, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said yesterday.
The center reported 6,435 new local COVID-19 cases, which is 7.1 percent lower than the case count on Monday last week and the lowest since April 26 last year. It also reported 142 new imported cases and 37 deaths.
The center expects the daily case count to remain low before Monday next week, when case reporting requirements will be changed, said Centers for Disease Control Deputy Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞), who is also the CECC spokesman.
Photo: CNA
As mild cases no longer have to be reported or placed under mandatory isolation, reporters asked how mild cases should seek medical attention and receive antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19.
The eligibility criteria for COVID-19 antiviral drugs remain the same, so those who qualify can receive a prescription after seeing a doctor, Lo said.
However, telemedicine for COVID-19 diagnosis and drug prescription will no longer be available in urban areas from Monday next week, but will continue in mountainous areas, outlying islands and remote areas, he said, adding that residents of urban areas can seek medical attention in-person at healthcare facilities.
Separately, when asked before a meeting of the legislature’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee whether drugs for treating mild COVID-19 cases would still be covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) system from Monday next week, Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan (薛瑞元) said the ministry was still discussing related medical expenses.
As mild COVID-19 will no longer be considered a notifiable communicable disease, in principle, expenses for mild cases should be covered by the NHI system like other diseases, he told reporters.
Insurance coverage for COVID-19 antiviral drugs will also continue for a period, he added.
Asked about reports of a shortage of Lipitor 10mg film-coated tablets, a widely used drug to lower cholesterol levels, Hsueh said there are many generic drugs that offer the same results.
Claims by some doctors that their patients “are not used” to taking generic drugs are “not appropriate,” as all generic drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration passed the required tests before obtaining a permit, he said.
“Generic drugs have the same efficacy and safety as brand-name drugs, and not being used to taking generic drugs is a myth,” he said.
The ministry encourages the use of generic drugs; otherwise, the NHI system would be held captive by large pharmaceutical firms and prevent it from lowering drug prices, he said.
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