Anti-viral Drug Remdesivir for COVID-19 Treatment

The anti-viral drug remdesivir is the first drug authorized at the European Union level for the treatment of COVID-19.

The anti-viral drug remdesivir for the treatment against coronavirus has been authorized by the European Commission.

"Today, the European Commission granted a conditional marketing authorization for the medicine remdesivir," the European //Commission said in a press release, Xinhua reported.

Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

‘The European Union has authorized the use of anti-viral drug remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment. ’

Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: "Today's authorisation of a first medicine to treat Covid-19 is an important step forward in the fight against this virus... We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to secure efficient treatments or vaccine against the coronavirus."

The EU expedited the authorization, approving the drug in an exceptionally short timeframe, but not before the news that the US has already locked down a large supply of remdesivir, made by Gilead Sciences, in the coming months.

The US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Monday that it had secured all of the Gilead's production for July and 90 per cent of that for August and September for US hospitals, raising concerns in Europe.

Remdesivir
It is prescribed for severe COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization.

A spokesman for the European Commission told a press conference on Thursday that Brussels heard of the US move from media reports, meaning Washington didn't bother to inform its allies beforehand. The EU was in ongoing talks with Gilead Sciences to reserve a "sufficient number of doses", reporters were told.

Source-IANS

Cipla to Sell Remdesivir Under the Name Cipremi in India
Drug maker Cipla Limited on Sunday announced the launch of experimental anti-viral drug remdesivir under its brand name Cipremi in India to treat COVID-19.

Anti-viral Drug Remdesivir may Put Pricing Pressure on Indian Pharma Companies
With limited therapeutic options for COVID-19 management, the Indian government and private sector will have to collaborate on the pricing of remdesivir, reveal sources.