The Croatian government on Wednesday authorised the infectious diseases hospital's director Alemka Markotic to sign a contract on implementing a Framework Agreement with the Gilead Sciences company on the procurement of Veklury medication for COVID-19 patients.

The planned quantity of 15,000 remdesivir doses should be sufficient for a three-month period from April 1 to June 30. The total cost will be 39.4 milion kuna without VAT, or 41.4 million kuna with VAT.

The Health Ministry, Croatian Institute for Public Health, and the Dr. Fran Mihaljevic Infectious Diseases Hospital have been delegated to implement the agreement.

“Due to the current epidemiological situation, the need for additional quantities of medication has emerged. The contract refers to the procurement of remdesivir medication which is not available on the commercial market and this is the only way to obtain the medication used in the treatment of serious conditions in COVID-19 patients,” Health Minister Vili Beros said, adding that Croatia had previously signed two similar contracts in the period from 1 October 2020 to 31 March this year.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)