India's Hetero Labs said on Friday it sought an emergency use nod from the local regulator for Merck's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> drug&nbsp;molnupiravir, after interim data from a late-stage trial showed it helped reduce hospitalisations and speed up recovery in mild cases.

Molnupiravir&nbsp;is an antiviral drug being developed by Merck &amp; Co and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics for the treatment of non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-procure-17-million-courses-of-molnupiravir-coronavirus-pills-390444">US to procure 1.7 million courses of molnupiravir coronavirus pills</a>

Merck tapped several Indian generic drugmakers between March and April, including Cipla and Dr Reddy's Laboratories, to expand the drug's production and conduct trials, hastening its availability in India to address the second wave of infections.

The partnerships gave these companies licence to make and supply&nbsp;molnupiravir&nbsp;to India and more than 100 low- and middle-income countries after approvals or emergency authorisations by local regulatory agencies, Merck said in late April.

Hetero said the late-stage trial of&nbsp;molnupiravir, conducted at COVID-19 dedicated hospital sites across India, looked at the drug's efficacy and safety in patients with mild COVID-19.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/molnupiravir-new-antiviral-oral-drug-shown-to-stop-covid-19-spread-in-24-hours-348580">Molnupiravir: New antiviral oral drug shown to stop COVID-19 spread in 24 hours</a>

The data showed the antiviral drug resulted in statistically significant fewer hospital admissions, faster recovery time and early negative SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR results.

Coronavirus cases in India have declined from a devastating peak in April and May. However, health experts have said the country should brace for a third wave by October.

Molnupiravir&nbsp;is currently being tested in a global late-stage study by Merck and partner Ridgeback, with the trial data expected in the fall of 2021.

India's Hetero Labs said on Friday it sought an emergency use nod from the local regulator for Merck's COVID-19 drug molnupiravir, after interim data from a late-stage trial showed it helped reduce hospitalisations and speed up recovery in mild cases.

India's Hetero Labs said on Friday it sought an emergency use nod from the local regulator for Merck's COVID-19 drug molnupiravir, after interim data from a late-stage trial showed it helped reduce hospitalisations and speed up recovery in mild cases. Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug being developed by Merck & Co and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics for the treatment of non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Also read | US to procure 1.7 million courses of molnupiravir coronavirus pills Merck tapped several Indian generic drugmakers between March and April, including Cipla and Dr Reddy's Laboratories, to expand the drug's production and conduct trials, hastening its availability in India to address the second wave of infections. The partnerships gave these companies licence to make and supply molnupiravir to India and more than 100 low- and middle-income countries after approvals or emergency authorisations by local regulatory agencies, Merck said in late April. Hetero said the late-stage trial of molnupiravir, conducted at COVID-19 dedicated hospital sites across India, looked at the drug's efficacy and safety in patients with mild COVID-19. Also read | Molnupiravir: New antiviral oral drug shown to stop COVID-19 spread in 24 hours The data showed the antiviral drug resulted in statistically significant fewer hospital admissions, faster recovery time and early negative SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR results. Coronavirus cases in India have declined from a devastating peak in April and May. However, health experts have said the country should brace for a third wave by October. Molnupiravir is currently being tested in a global late-stage study by Merck and partner Ridgeback, with the trial data expected in the fall of 2021.

India's Hetero seeks emergency use nod for Merck's COVID-19 drug

A major clinical trial shows that an inflammatory drug called colchicine is effective in treating Covid-19 and reduces the risk of complications from the disease, doctors in Canada said.

The results of the study are a "major scientific discovery" and make colchicine -- a medicine used to treat gout -- "the world's first oral drug that could be used to treat non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19," the Montreal Heart Institute said in a statement late Friday.

The study results show that colchicine reduced by 21 percent the risk of death or hospitalizations in patients with Covid-19 compared to placebo, the institute said.

The study was carried out in Canada, the US, Europe and South America among a population of 4,488 patients.

In 4,159 of these patients, in whom the diagnosis of Covid-19 was proven by a naso-pharyngeal PCR test, use of colchicine reduced hospitalizations by 25 percent, the need for mechanical ventilation by 50 percent, and deaths by 44 percent, the study concluded.

Colchicine is effective in preventing dangerous inflammatory syndromes called "cytokine storms" and reducing complications associated with Covid-19, said Dr Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the MHI Research Center and principal investigator in this study.

"We are pleased to offer the first oral medication in the world whose use could have a significant impact on public health and potentially prevent Covid-19 complications for millions of patients," Tardif said.

The study was conducted among Covid-19 patients not hospitalized at the time of enrollment in the trial, and with&nbsp;at least one risk factor for Covid-19 complications.

"This is the world's largest study testing an orally administered drug in non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19," the heart institute said.

A major clinical trial shows that an inflammatory drug called colchicine is effective in treating Covid-19 and reduces the risk of complications from the disease, doctors in Canada said.

A major clinical trial shows that an inflammatory drug called colchicine is effective in treating Covid-19 and reduces the risk of complications from the disease, doctors in Canada said. The results of the study are a "major scientific discovery" and make colchicine -- a medicine used to treat gout -- "the world's first oral drug that could be used to treat non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19," the Montreal Heart Institute said in a statement late Friday. The study results show that colchicine reduced by 21 percent the risk of death or hospitalizations in patients with Covid-19 compared to placebo, the institute said. The study was carried out in Canada, the US, Europe and South America among a population of 4,488 patients. In 4,159 of these patients, in whom the diagnosis of Covid-19 was proven by a naso-pharyngeal PCR test, use of colchicine reduced hospitalizations by 25 percent, the need for mechanical ventilation by 50 percent, and deaths by 44 percent, the study concluded. Colchicine is effective in preventing dangerous inflammatory syndromes called "cytokine storms" and reducing complications associated with Covid-19, said Dr Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the MHI Research Center and principal investigator in this study. "We are pleased to offer the first oral medication in the world whose use could have a significant impact on public health and potentially prevent Covid-19 complications for millions of patients," Tardif said. The study was conducted among Covid-19 patients not hospitalized at the time of enrollment in the trial, and with at least one risk factor for Covid-19 complications. "This is the world's largest study testing an orally administered drug in non-hospitalized patients with Covid-19," the heart institute said.

Canadian study says oral medicine effective in treating Covid-19

An unusual experiment to prevent nursing home staff members and residents from infection with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> has succeeded, drugmaker Eli Lilly announced Thursday.

A drug containing monoclonal antibodies — laboratory-grown virus-fighters — prevented symptomatic infections in residents who were exposed to the virus, even the frail older people who are most vulnerable, according to preliminary results of a study conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health.

The researchers found an 80% reduction in infections among residents who got the drug, compared with those who got a placebo, and a 60% reduction among the staff, results that were highly statistically powerful, Eli Lilly said.

The data have not yet been peer-reviewed or published. The company expects to present the findings at a future medical meeting and to publish them in a peer-reviewed journal, but did not say when.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-inherits-a-vaccine-supply-unlikely-to-grow-before-april-358544">&nbsp;Biden inherits a vaccine supply unlikely to grow before April</a>

The study included 965 participants at nursing homes: 666 staff members and 299 residents. (The company had hoped more residents would participate, but it proved difficult to enroll them; many had dementia, and others were leery of getting an intravenous drug.)

There were four deaths from COVID-19 among study participants. All were among nursing home residents who got a placebo, not the drug.

The drug, bamlanivimab, already has an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration that allows Eli Lilly to provide it to symptomatic patients early in the course of their infection.

But this study asked if the drug could stop infections before they started. It was an unusual experiment: In trucks equipped with mobile labs, medical staff sped to nursing homes the moment a single infection was detected there. As soon as the workers arrived, they set up temporary infusion centers to administer the drug.

The research ended this weekend with an emergency meeting of the data safety and monitoring board, an independent group monitoring the incoming results. The data were strong and convincing enough to call a halt to the placebos.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/norway-23-people-die-after-taking-coronavirus-vaccine-caution-raised-357160">Norway: 23 people die after taking coronavirus vaccine; caution raised</a>

“My jaw dropped when I saw the table of outcomes,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a principal investigator who helped design and implement the study.

Although the study has ended, Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, Eli Lilly’s chief scientific officer, said the company would continue to rush to nursing homes in its study network when an outbreak is detected. “Everyone will get the drug,” he said.

Experts who were not part of the study were enthusiastic but emphasized that they had not yet seen complete data. “I see only positives here,” said Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the precision vaccine program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “This is a win.”

Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, also was encouraged.

“The mortality effect is remarkable,” she said, adding that the drug should be used more widely to prevent and treat COVID-19, “particularly in populations such as nursing home residents, who have high mortality and may have suboptimal responses to vaccines.”

Vaccines, of course, also protect people from infection with the virus, and nursing home staff and residents were among the first group prioritized for the shots. But supplies are inadequate, and many nursing home workers, afraid of the vaccines, have declined to get them.

And following vaccination, it can take six weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies for maximum protection, said Dr. Srilatha Edupuganti, a vaccine researcher at Emory University in Atlanta and a study investigator.

The monoclonal antibody treatment, she said, can give nearly equivalent protection immediately, although it will not last as long as the protection offered by a vaccine.

Eli Lilly plans to approach the FDA about an emergency use authorization for use of the drug to prevent infections in frail older populations, especially those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, Skovronsky said.

An unusual experiment to prevent nursing home staff members and residents from infection with the coronavirus has succeeded, drugmaker Eli Lilly announced Thursday.

An unusual experiment to prevent nursing home staff members and residents from infection with the coronavirus has succeeded, drugmaker Eli Lilly announced Thursday. A drug containing monoclonal antibodies — laboratory-grown virus-fighters — prevented symptomatic infections in residents who were exposed to the virus, even the frail older people who are most vulnerable, according to preliminary results of a study conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health. The researchers found an 80% reduction in infections among residents who got the drug, compared with those who got a placebo, and a 60% reduction among the staff, results that were highly statistically powerful, Eli Lilly said. The data have not yet been peer-reviewed or published. The company expects to present the findings at a future medical meeting and to publish them in a peer-reviewed journal, but did not say when. Also read| Biden inherits a vaccine supply unlikely to grow before April The study included 965 participants at nursing homes: 666 staff members and 299 residents. (The company had hoped more residents would participate, but it proved difficult to enroll them; many had dementia, and others were leery of getting an intravenous drug.) There were four deaths from COVID-19 among study participants. All were among nursing home residents who got a placebo, not the drug. The drug, bamlanivimab, already has an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration that allows Eli Lilly to provide it to symptomatic patients early in the course of their infection. But this study asked if the drug could stop infections before they started. It was an unusual experiment: In trucks equipped with mobile labs, medical staff sped to nursing homes the moment a single infection was detected there. As soon as the workers arrived, they set up temporary infusion centers to administer the drug. The research ended this weekend with an emergency meeting of the data safety and monitoring board, an independent group monitoring the incoming results. The data were strong and convincing enough to call a halt to the placebos. Also read| Norway: 23 people die after taking coronavirus vaccine; caution raised “My jaw dropped when I saw the table of outcomes,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a principal investigator who helped design and implement the study. Although the study has ended, Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, Eli Lilly’s chief scientific officer, said the company would continue to rush to nursing homes in its study network when an outbreak is detected. “Everyone will get the drug,” he said. Experts who were not part of the study were enthusiastic but emphasized that they had not yet seen complete data. “I see only positives here,” said Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the precision vaccine program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “This is a win.” Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, also was encouraged. “The mortality effect is remarkable,” she said, adding that the drug should be used more widely to prevent and treat COVID-19, “particularly in populations such as nursing home residents, who have high mortality and may have suboptimal responses to vaccines.” Vaccines, of course, also protect people from infection with the virus, and nursing home staff and residents were among the first group prioritized for the shots. But supplies are inadequate, and many nursing home workers, afraid of the vaccines, have declined to get them. And following vaccination, it can take six weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies for maximum protection, said Dr. Srilatha Edupuganti, a vaccine researcher at Emory University in Atlanta and a study investigator. The monoclonal antibody treatment, she said, can give nearly equivalent protection immediately, although it will not last as long as the protection offered by a vaccine. Eli Lilly plans to approach the FDA about an emergency use authorization for use of the drug to prevent infections in frail older populations, especially those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, Skovronsky said.

Drug prevents coronavirus infection in nursing homes, maker claims

Brazil's health regulator has suspended clinical trials of a Chinese-developed Covid-19 vaccine after an "adverse incident" involving a volunteer recipient.

On Monday, the regulator, Anvisa, said in a statement that it had "ruled to interrupt the clinical trial of the CoronaVac vaccine after a serious adverse incident" on October 29.

It said -- without giving details on what happened -- such incidents included death, potentially fatal side effects, serious disability, hospitalisation, birth defects and other "clinically significant events."

The setback for CoronaVac, developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech, came on the same day US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said its own vaccine candidate had shown 90 per cent effectiveness.

Both the Pfizer and Sinovac vaccines are in Phase III trials, the final stage of testing before regulatory approval. And both are being tested in Brazil.

CoronaVac has been caught up in a messy political battle in Brazil, where its most visible backer has been Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, a top opponent of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

President Jair Bolsonaro has meanwhile labeled it the vaccine from "that other country," and pushed instead for a rival vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.

Earlier on November 2, more than 300 Brazilians gathered on São Paulo's main commercial thoroughfare to protest state Governor João Doria's support for mandatory COVID-19 immunisation and testing the potential vaccine.

In São Paulo, the Sinovac vaccine was being tested as part of phase III clinical trials with support from the Doria government.

Brazil’s federal health ministry announced last month it would buy 46 million doses of the vaccine, contingent on regulatory approval, in a deal supported by state governors. But a day later, Bolsonaro said that Brazil would not buy the vaccine.

Bolsonaro has bashed China intermittently since the campaign trail in 2018, over the Asian countries growing investments and influence in Brazil.

The protestors in São Paulo rallied in support of Bolsonaro. Many of the tightly packed protestors did not wear masks.

Brazil has the third-worst outbreak of coronavirus globally, with over 5.5 million cases, after the United States and India

Brazil's health regulator has suspended clinical trials of a Chinese-developed Covid-19 vaccine after an "adverse incident" involving a volunteer recipient. On Monday, the regulator, Anvisa, said in a statement that it had "ruled to interrupt the clinical trial of the CoronaVac vaccine after a serious adverse incident" on October 29.

Brazil's health regulator has suspended clinical trials of a Chinese-developed Covid-19 vaccine after an "adverse incident" involving a volunteer recipient. On Monday, the regulator, Anvisa, said in a statement that it had "ruled to interrupt the clinical trial of the CoronaVac vaccine after a serious adverse incident" on October 29. It said -- without giving details on what happened -- such incidents included death, potentially fatal side effects, serious disability, hospitalisation, birth defects and other "clinically significant events." The setback for CoronaVac, developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech, came on the same day US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said its own vaccine candidate had shown 90 per cent effectiveness. Both the Pfizer and Sinovac vaccines are in Phase III trials, the final stage of testing before regulatory approval. And both are being tested in Brazil. CoronaVac has been caught up in a messy political battle in Brazil, where its most visible backer has been Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, a top opponent of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. President Jair Bolsonaro has meanwhile labeled it the vaccine from "that other country," and pushed instead for a rival vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca. Earlier on November 2, more than 300 Brazilians gathered on São Paulo's main commercial thoroughfare to protest state Governor João Doria's support for mandatory COVID-19 immunisation and testing the potential vaccine. In São Paulo, the Sinovac vaccine was being tested as part of phase III clinical trials with support from the Doria government. Brazil’s federal health ministry announced last month it would buy 46 million doses of the vaccine, contingent on regulatory approval, in a deal supported by state governors. But a day later, Bolsonaro said that Brazil would not buy the vaccine. Bolsonaro has bashed China intermittently since the campaign trail in 2018, over the Asian countries growing investments and influence in Brazil. The protestors in São Paulo rallied in support of Bolsonaro. Many of the tightly packed protestors did not wear masks. Brazil has the third-worst outbreak of coronavirus globally, with over 5.5 million cases, after the United States and India

Brazil halts trials of Chinese Covid-19 vaccine

Russia has approved R-Pharm’s Coronavir treatment for outpatients with mild to moderate Covid-19 infections and the antiviral drug could be rolled out to pharmacies in the country as soon as next week, the company said on Friday.

Coronavir’s approval as a prescription drug follows the green light for another Russian Covid-19 drug, Avifavir, in May. Both are based on favipiravir, which was developed in Japan and is widely used there as the basis for viral treatments.

R-Pharm’s announcement is another sign Russia is pushing hard to take a global lead in the race against the virus. It is already exporting its Covid-19 tests and has clinched several international deals for supplies of its Sputnik-V vaccine.

R-Pharm said it received approval for Coronavir after Phase III clinical trials involving 168 patients with Covid-19.

The drug was first approved for in-hospital use to treat Covid-19 in July, a government register showed.

Coronavir’s trial was comparatively small. The European health regulator on Friday endorsed the use of the steroid dexamethasone in the treatment of Covid-19 patients after a study by UK researchers on several thousand patients.

R-Pharm has started talks with pharmacies about orders, the company’s spokeswoman said, with Coronavir supplies expected to be rolled out in the near future, possibly as soon as next week.

Click here for complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic

Coronavir is made at R-Pharm’s facility in Yaroslavl, about 300 km (186 miles) northeast of Moscow.

Avifavir has been available in hospitals since June but has yet to be supplied to pharmacies.

Both are based on the active ingredient favipiravir, which is also the key component in Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s antiviral drug Avigan, approved in Japan as an emergency influenza treatment in 2014.

Trials to test it against Covid-19 are ongoing around the world. Results of a Japanese study in July were inconclusive.

It is produced by various Indian generic drugmakers including Lupin, Cipla and Dr Reddy’s for use against Covid-19 in India

Russia has approved R-Pharm’s Coronavir treatment for outpatients with mild to moderate Covid-19 infections and the antiviral drug could be rolled out to pharmacies in the country as soon as next week, the company said on Friday.

Russia has approved R-Pharm’s Coronavir treatment for outpatients with mild to moderate Covid-19 infections and the antiviral drug could be rolled out to pharmacies in the country as soon as next week, the company said on Friday. Coronavir’s approval as a prescription drug follows the green light for another Russian Covid-19 drug, Avifavir, in May. Both are based on favipiravir, which was developed in Japan and is widely used there as the basis for viral treatments. R-Pharm’s announcement is another sign Russia is pushing hard to take a global lead in the race against the virus. It is already exporting its Covid-19 tests and has clinched several international deals for supplies of its Sputnik-V vaccine. R-Pharm said it received approval for Coronavir after Phase III clinical trials involving 168 patients with Covid-19. The drug was first approved for in-hospital use to treat Covid-19 in July, a government register showed. Coronavir’s trial was comparatively small. The European health regulator on Friday endorsed the use of the steroid dexamethasone in the treatment of Covid-19 patients after a study by UK researchers on several thousand patients. R-Pharm has started talks with pharmacies about orders, the company’s spokeswoman said, with Coronavir supplies expected to be rolled out in the near future, possibly as soon as next week. Click here for complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic Coronavir is made at R-Pharm’s facility in Yaroslavl, about 300 km (186 miles) northeast of Moscow. Avifavir has been available in hospitals since June but has yet to be supplied to pharmacies. Both are based on the active ingredient favipiravir, which is also the key component in Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s antiviral drug Avigan, approved in Japan as an emergency influenza treatment in 2014. Trials to test it against Covid-19 are ongoing around the world. Results of a Japanese study in July were inconclusive. It is produced by various Indian generic drugmakers including Lupin, Cipla and Dr Reddy’s for use against Covid-19 in India

Russia approves first Covid-19 prescription drug for sale in pharmacies

Gilead Sciences Inc has priced its COVID-19 drug candidate remdesivir at $2,340 for a five-day treatment in the United States and some other developed countries, potentially reflecting looming competition from a cheap steroid.

The price tag is slightly below the range of $2,520 to $2,800 suggested last week by US&nbsp;drug pricing research group the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) after British researchers said they found that the cheap, widely available steroid dexamethasone significantly reduced mortality among severely ill COVID-19 patients.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-is-remdesivir-actually-effective-in-treatment-295903">Coronavirus pandemic: Is remdesivir actually effective in treatment?</a>

Remdesivir is at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 after the anti-viral treatment helped shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial. It has been approved for emergency use in some patients in the US.

Remdesivir is expected to be in high demand as one of the only treatments so far shown to alter the course of COVID-19. After the intravenously administered medicine helped shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial, it won emergency use authorization in the United States and full approval in Japan.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gileads-remdesivir-prevents-lung-damage-in-covid-19-study-on-monkeys-304645">Gilead's remdesivir prevents lung damage in COVID-19 study on monkeys</a>

The drug is believed to be most effective in treating patients earlier in the course of disease than dexamethasone, which reduced deaths in patients requiring supportive oxygen and those on a ventilator. Still, remdesivir in its currently formulation, is only being used on patients sick enough to require hospitalization as a five-day treatment course.

The company is developing an inhaled version that could be used outside a hospital setting.

For US&nbsp;patients with commercial insurance, Gilead said it will charge $3,120 per course, or $520 per vial. That is a 33 per cent&nbsp;increase over the $390 per vial Gilead said it will charge governments of developed countries and US&nbsp;patients in government healthcare programs.

Gilead Sciences Inc has priced its COVID-19 drug candidate remdesivir at $2,340 for a five-day treatment in the United States and some other developed countries, potentially reflecting looming competition from a cheap steroid.

Gilead Sciences Inc has priced its COVID-19 drug candidate remdesivir at $2,340 for a five-day treatment in the United States and some other developed countries, potentially reflecting looming competition from a cheap steroid. The price tag is slightly below the range of $2,520 to $2,800 suggested last week by US drug pricing research group the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) after British researchers said they found that the cheap, widely available steroid dexamethasone significantly reduced mortality among severely ill COVID-19 patients. Also read| Coronavirus pandemic: Is remdesivir actually effective in treatment? Remdesivir is at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 after the anti-viral treatment helped shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial. It has been approved for emergency use in some patients in the US. Remdesivir is expected to be in high demand as one of the only treatments so far shown to alter the course of COVID-19. After the intravenously administered medicine helped shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial, it won emergency use authorization in the United States and full approval in Japan. Also read| Gilead's remdesivir prevents lung damage in COVID-19 study on monkeys The drug is believed to be most effective in treating patients earlier in the course of disease than dexamethasone, which reduced deaths in patients requiring supportive oxygen and those on a ventilator. Still, remdesivir in its currently formulation, is only being used on patients sick enough to require hospitalization as a five-day treatment course. The company is developing an inhaled version that could be used outside a hospital setting. For US patients with commercial insurance, Gilead said it will charge $3,120 per course, or $520 per vial. That is a 33 per cent increase over the $390 per vial Gilead said it will charge governments of developed countries and US patients in government healthcare programs.

Gilead gives price tag to first coronavirus drug Remdesivir at $2,340

Favipiravir and anti-viral medication developed in Japan is currently the subject of 18 trials around the world as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Watch report.

Drug to cure mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19: 'Favipiravir' or 'Fabiflu'

For the world battling a high mortality rate due to the coronavirus pandemic, steroid Dexamethasone can be a boon. The researchers in England have claimed that it can reduce COVID-19 deaths by one-third in severely ill hospitalised patients. This is the first evidence that a drug can improve the survival rate. Watch report.

The life-saving drug Dexamethasone reduces COVID-19 deaths

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