Skopje, 9 February 2022 (MIA) – Health Ministry is negotiating with Pfizer to purchase COVID-19 drug, however according to Health Minister Bekim Sali it is a long process and we already have vaccines which have shown high level of efficacy and safety. “We have expressed initial interest that we want to start negotiations for the purchase of the COVID-19 drug, but when it will happen I cannot tell. We have expressed interest and approached the next phase of negotiations and the procurement contract," Sali told Kanal 5 television. Sali also said that the COVID-19 treatment protocol exists, noting that it is written on more than 35 pages by Infectious Diseases Clinic professors and is available to all health care institutions. “Over the period of two years the protocol has undergone certain changes, based on all the coronavirus strains that have appeared in our country. We know only about four strains in our country, and there are about 50 in the world. I regret that some doctors may not have followed these procedures and acted according to short protocols that they applied from neighbouring countries. However that is not a mistake, to follow the example of a neighboring country that is effectively dealing with the pandemic," Sali said.