Emergency use of Remdesvir for critical Corona patients approved in India

BENGALURU: Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that has been developed by Gilead Sciences Incorporated for treating corona positive patients, has been approved by the Government for national use on June 2. The drug is the first to show positive results during clinical trials as visible signs of improvement were observed in patients during formal clinical trials.

In an email statement, the Drugs Controller General of India has said that the drug could be administered under critical circumstances with a condition for five-dose administration.

Gilead Sciences have reported that the Covid-19 patients have shown a ‘modest benefit’ when a five-day course of the drug was dispensed to the patients. Patients who were treated with the drug for 10 days did not fare as well, the company added further.

Remdesvir has already been granted authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration in May. Japanese health regulators have also approved its use.

Moreover, European countries are also looking at legalising the drug. South Korean health authorities have also requested imports for the drug. However, Gilead is yet to gain regulatory approval in either market.