Prescriptions issued for amantadine

Minister of Health

The Minister of Health made two serious mistakes with regard to amantadine. First, he commissioned the Medical Research Agency to finance a clinical trial on amantadine in the treatment of COVID-19, because it was requested by Deputy Justice Minister Warchoł, who posted an entry: “Amantadine works on covid! I am an example. First the son, then the wife, finally me: high fever, great pain, severe cough, according to a doctor like that for 7 days, and then the apogee, so I took amantadine - electrifying effect! It worked! ”. Second, he has issued a message that is illogical because it contains an intrinsic contradiction. In the text of the announcement, the Ministry of Health informs about restrictions only for the drug Viregyt K. However, other medicinal products containing amantadine can be prescribed and dispensed without restrictions. The minister issued no ordinance or ordinance, but merely a communiqué with the legal force of a weather announcement.

Doctors

Three MPs issued an interpellation on the number of prescriptions issued for Viregyt-K. In response, the Deputy Minister of Health informed that in the period from September 1 to December 9, 2021, a total of 44,611 prescriptions for Viregyt-K were issued. That's not all, as there is no data on amantadine from parallel import. In the analyzed period, prescriptions were issued by non-specialized doctors and specialists in the fields of internal medicine, family medicine, neurology, and paediatrics. Doctors, at their own risk, may use the drug outside the approved indications (off-label use). Nevertheless, they should also adhere to the principle: evidence-based medicine. There is no scientific evidence or even evidence that amantadine can be effective in treating COVID-19.

Pharmacists

During the analyzed period, pharmacists issued 773 pharmaceutical prescriptions for Viregyt-K. Every pharmacist who has done this has broken the law and has shown extreme irresponsibility and stupidity, as it is common knowledge that amantadine enthusiasts do not get vaccinated because they take the drug and then go to hospital in severe condition and die of COVID-19.

The rules for issuing prescriptions by pharmacists are regulated by the Pharmaceutical Law (Art. 96 par. 4). If the patient's health is at risk, the pharmacist may issue a pharmaceutical prescription. As a rule, the reason for issuing the prescription must be stated. Did the pharmacists say the reason: I'm an amantadine enthusiast. Each pharmacist who prescribes amantadine should face professional and criminal consequences: Art. 160 of the Criminal Code - human exposure to danger. Therefore, the Supreme Pharmaceutical Council should establish a list of all pharmacists who have done so in order to submit applications to the Professional Liability Officers and notices to the public prosecutor's office.

The minister of health made mistakes, doctors do not follow the EBM rule, pharmacists break the law. Fear to be afraid.

MA farm. Walenty Zajdel