Medicosnext
Results of a World Health Organization coordinated study show that remdesivir has “little or no effect on mortality” for patients hospitalized with coronavirus, and that it doesn’t seem to help patients recover any faster. Till date, this antiviral drug was the only drug that the US FDA had granted COVID-19 emergency use authorization.
Covering upwards of 11,000 COVID-19 patients in 30 countries, the study review of four regimens—remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir fixed dose combination, and interferon—found that none of them helped patients live any longer or get out of the hospital any sooner. WHO stated that, “For each drug in the study, the effect on mortality was disappointingly unpromising.”
However, Gilead Sciences, which markets remdesivir under the brand name Veklury, said that, “We are concerned that the data from this open-label global trial have not undergone the rigorous review required to allow for constructive scientific discussion.” Earlier, a large controlled US study had found that while remdesivir shortened recovery time by about a third in severely ill COVID-19 adult patients, it was not of much help in milder cases.
WHO stated that, “Newer antiviral drugs, immunomodulators, and anti-SARS COV-2 monoclonal antibodies are now being considered for evaluation via the Solidarity Therapeutics trial.” These include Regeneron’s dual antibody cocktail and Eli Lilly and Co’s double antibody therapy.
Ref: WHO, Oct 16, 2020,
