Remdesivir against COVID-19: studies provide different results
In the treatment of infections with the new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are currently being tested in many ways. One of them is the application of the Virostatikums Remdesivir is. Even if the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of an ongoing study reported success with Remdesivir, however, remain a doubt as to the effectiveness. The data available so far to have actually no definite conclusions.
“The first results from three randomized studies on the Antiviral Remdesivir that currently the hopes for the treatment of COVID-19 to rest from,” reports the German Ärzteblatt. The evaluation of the NIAID, for example, in opposition to one already in the magazine “The Lancet” published a study that could demonstrate for Remdesivir no significant effect on the COVID-19-history.
Antiviral drug used against Ebola
New treatment approaches against COVID-19, caused by the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, are urgently sought. Among the available medicines the Antiviral Remdesivir (manufacturer Gilead Sciences), which is also used against Ebola, one of the hopefuls. However, in one of the first published randomized study, it was found in the treatment of seriously ill COVID-19-patients and in-patients with Remdesivir no significant advantage. Also, if indeed evidence showed that a positive effect might be, read this not clearly prove.
US authorities report treatment success
In the study by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) was, according to the NIAID, however, a clearer effect is recognizable. “Preliminary results show that patients receiving Remedesivir, needed a 31 percent shorter recovery time than patients who received a Placebo,” says the NIAID-communication. The median time to recovery in case of treatment with Remedesivir lasted eleven days, versus 15 days in the case of administration of a placebo. A survival benefit was suggested. So the mortality rate in the group that received Remedesivir was eight percent, compared to 11.6 percent in the placebo group, according to the NIAID.
Preliminary results are not robust
In a technical paper https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1798 the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Professor of clinical pharmacology, Robin, Also from the University of Birmingham, however, very critical of the opinion of the NIAID to the court: “Expedited review or accelerated publications are in order, but the suggestion that the results will be positive, benefiting only the drug manufacturers.” Here it also fits into the picture that the US food and drug administration, FDA, supposedly with the manufacturer, Gilead Sciences about the fastest possible availability of the Agent negotiated.
Reliable information is important
Although there is evidence for a positive effect of Remdesivir at COVID-19 and this seems most likely, if early treatment is started, however, a final evaluation is on the Basis of the data available so far is not possible. Although it was “desirable that the treatments are fast rating, but what we need is reliable information,” says Professor Also. (fp)