WHO-Endorsed Drug, Remdesivir Ineffective In COVID-19 Treatment - WHO Study Reveals

Making a 360 revolution on its initial recommendation on the use of remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that there is a lack of evidence to show that the drug is effective in the treatment of people suffering from COVID-19.

The WHO panel that made the revelation said, “The … panel found a lack of evidence that remdesivir improved outcomes that matter to patients such as reduced mortality need for mechanical ventilation, time to clinical improvement, and others."

Remdesivir had been touted as a drug that had the capability of treating COVID-19 patients after it had undergone trials that showed promise of its effectiveness.

The drug was used in the treatment of Ebola and was also used to treat President Donald Trump's coronavirus, and reports have it that the drug had, in some cases, proven to be effective.

Over 50 countries have been given a go-ahead to use the drug in the treatment of the disease.

Management of Gilead, the makers of the drugs, has expressed disappointment in the guidelines released by the WHO over the inefficacy of the drug in its recent Solidarity Trial.

Gilead said, “Veklury is recognised as a standard of care for the treatment of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in guidelines from numerous credible national organisations.

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“We are disappointed the WHO guidelines appear to ignore this evidence at a time when cases are dramatically increasing around the world and doctors are relying on Veklury as the first and only approved antiviral treatment for patients with COVID-19.”

According to the WHO panel, a conclusion on the ineffectiveness of the drug was reached after reviewing the evidence, stating that it was costly and it had no true impact on death rates.

It said, “Especially given the costs and resource implications associated with remdesivir …the panel felt the responsibility should be on demonstrating evidence of efficacy, which is not established by the currently available data.”