New Delhi November 20: The World Health Organisation has suspended Gilead’s remdesivir, the popular antiviral medicine that was initially being touted as a potential treatment for Covid-19 cases for months, from its list of medicines.
Prior to the suspension of remdesivir, WHO had warned against its use on Covid-19 patients. The suspension is a signal to countries that WHO, in compliance with the treatment guidelines, does not recommend countries procure the drug for Covid.
In India, Gilead had signed non-exclusive deals with several pharma companies to boost the supply of remdesivir, which was so far the only approved treatment against Covid-19. Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Zydus Cadila apart from Cipla and a few others were already making the generic remdesivir antiviral drug in India.
The WHO's guideline had said that the antiviral drug remdesivir is not suggested for patients admitted to hospital with covid-19, regardless of how severely ill they are, because there is currently no evidence that it improves survival or the need for ventilation.(Agencies)
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