COVID-19 vaccines, medicines, test kits, and medical supplies are added to the benefits package of the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS). 
 
          The National Health Security Board approved the new items on Aug 2, under the fast-track approval channel that aims to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
 



          Dr Jadej Thammatach-aree, the NHSO secretary-general, said that this approval of UCS’ new benefits would allow NHSO to act faster in procuring and distributing medicines and medical supplies to health providers. 
 
          Previously, the NHSO was barred from doing that by the budget and procurement rules.
With the introduction of the anti-viral drug favipiravir in UCS’s benefits package, for example, the NHSO will be legitimated to purchase 27 million tablets of the drug to treat COVID-19 patients. 
 
          The purchase, which cost around 891 million baht, will be proceeded within this year. The NHSO has also planned to purchase more tablets next year to prevent the shortage of drugs for treating COVID-19 patients.
 
          This will add up to the Public Health Ministry’s procurement of 50 million tablets of favipiravir in Sep.