ICMR: Remdesvir effective in stopping replication mechanism of COVID-19

On April 13, 2020, the Indian Council of Medical Research announced that the antiviral drug Remdesvir is highly effective in stopping the replication of COVID-19.

Highlights

The research on the efficacy of Remdesvir is a part of WHO’s “Solidarity Trial”. The efficacy of Remdesvir is not based on clinical trials. However, ICMR is concluding its efficacy based on studies. According to studies, 68% of patients that were under the treatment of Remdesvir did not require ventilator or oxygen support after taking the drug.

Further development on the efficiency of the drug is to be learnt from the mega trials of WHO. WHO has launched 4 mega trials.

About the study

The drug was used against Ebola virus. The drug has been found to hinder the reproduction activity of the COVID-19. The study recently published by the New England Journal of Medicine also says that 2 out of every 3 patients showed signs of improvement on using the Remdesvir drug.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020