(Yicai Global) July 6 -- China has given the green light to import AstraZeneca's Evusheld, the first medicine approved by the American Food and Drug Administration to be used to prevent Covid-19 infections.

Customs administration in southern China's Haikou finished a special import examination and approval of the first batch of the drug, a combination of two long-acting monoclonal antibodies developed by the Cambridge-headquartered company, ChinaNews.Com reported today. The batch is worth CNY22 million (USD3.3 million).

Evusheld was approved to be sold in the United States late last year as well as in Europe this March. The medicine is mostly used abroad for immunocompromised adults and youth aged 12 or above. It should be effective for six months. Vaccination is still recommended as the best shield against the novel coronavirus.

The drug will be used in experiments in hospitals in Hainan province’s Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, according to the report. Formed in 2013, the pilot zone is designed for licensed medical treatment and clinic research. It is an important part of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi