India to join Solidarity Trial
India is about to enter the Solidarity Trial of WHO which aims at expediting the search for a drug to treat COVID-19.
Solidarity Trial
It is an international effort to look into the possibility of repurposing an existing drug for treating COVID-19. It was launched by the World Health Organisation. It includes over 45 countries and will look into repurposing 4 drugs/ drug combinations that are largely known to be safe. The initiative was launched as a vaccine for the disease is many months away.
Drugs under the Trial
Through the Solidarity Trial, scientists will test the effectiveness of 4 drugs/ drug combinations:
- Remdesivir- an experimental anti-viral drug
- Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine- 2 known malaria medications
- Lopinavir and ritonavir- a combination of 2 HIV drugs
- Lopinavir and ritonavir along with interferon beta which is an immune system messenger for fighting viral infections
Conduction of the Trial
The trial is to involve thousands of test subjects- patients affected by COVID-19. They are to be selected from several countries that have already signed up for the trial- Argentina, South Africa, Iran, etc. The participants in the trial are to give a signed consent which are sent to WHO electronically. The attending doctor will also be entering patient’s data like pre-existing health condition into the WHO website. The trial is to be conducted in a double blinded manner.
