Egypt has secured enough coronavirus medications to cover the needs of the local market, according to medical adviser to the prime minister Hossam Al-Masry, who reassured citizens that they do not need to hoard these drugs out of fear of a shortage.

A report by the cabinet’s medical affairs secretariat revealed that the Egyptian Drug Authority secured in September about 2.5 million packages of the antibiotic Azithromycin, as well as about 233,000 bottles of this drug, according to a Cabinet statement.

Also, about 5.2 million packages of Paracetamol, a medication used to treat fever, and 140,000 bottles of the drug have been secured.

The authority has also secured 1.6 million packs of Zinc pills and 3.3 million Vitamin C packs, according to the report. These drugs are included in international protocols for the treatment of coronavirus.

Egypt has reported 103,781 coronavirus cases and 5,990 related deaths since the outbreak hit the country in mid-February, according to the Health Ministry’s figures. It has also reported 97,398 recoveries.

In mid-September, Health Minister Hala Zayed said there have been 10,168 coronavirus patients isolated at home in Egypt, treated under a programme created in July for the treatment of patients in home isolation.

In a cabinet meeting on 17 September, Zayed said the home-isolation programme is being implemented in coordination with the World Health Organisation.