SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
US Secures World Stock of Key Covid-19 Drug Remdesivir
US Secures World Stock of Key Covid-19 Drug Remdesivir:
No other country will be able to buy remdesivir, which can help recovery from Covid-19, for next three months at least
The US has bought up virtually all the stocks for the next three months of one of the two drugs proven to work against Covid-19, leaving none for the UK, Europe or most of the rest of the world.
Experts and campaigners are alarmed both by the US unilateral action on remdesivir and the wider implications, for instance in the event of a vaccine becoming available. The Trump administration has already shown that it is prepared to outbid and outmanoeuvre all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the US.
“They’ve got access to most of the drug supply [of remdesivir], so there’s nothing for Europe,” said Dr Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow at Liverpool University.
Remdesivir, the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19, is made by Gilead and has been shown to help people recover faster from the disease. The first 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials around the world, have been used up. The Trump administration has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September.
US to buy 500,000 Remdesivir Coronavirus Treatment Courses at $2,340 Each
US to buy 500,000 remdesivir coronavirus treatment courses at $2,340 each:
The US Department of Health and Human Services has agreed to buy 500,000 remdesivir treatment courses, in the wake of clinical trials revealing the drug can help patients recover more quickly from the coronavirus. A five-day course will cost $2,340,or $3,120 for commercially insured patients, biotech firm Gilead Sciences said.
Early last month, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency authorization for remdesivir to be used in cases of COVID-19 when patients were "hospitalized with severe disease," shortly after the drug showed "clear-cut positive effect" in a US trial.
[...] "To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it," HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a release.
[...] Gilead CEO Daniel O'Day addressed the higher price for private insurers, according to health site Stat, by noting that there are "always two prices" for a drug in the US. In an open letter, he acknowledged that the company's work on remdesivir is "far from done."
[...] He also said that countries in the developing world will get the drug at greatly reduced prices, through generic manufacturers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 06 2020, @12:43AM (4 children)
How petulant of them to want what pretty much every other american expects out of the post office unless you live in a apartment complex. HOW PETULANT! How DARE they expect the best out of the post office.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 06 2020, @01:48AM (1 child)
What? I expect my mail in the mailbox, not delivered to my doorstep. Entitlement is the worst affliction of the ignorant and arrogant.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday July 06 2020, @05:11PM
When I moved into the City of Miami (1992) the standard garbage pickup was at the back door of the house... kinda weird at first having garbage men walking into your back yard once a week, but after getting used to that it was a real let down when they discontinued the service and made the homeowners put the garbage on the street. In the Miami area I think it's still standard to have mail delivered to-the-doorstep, where you don't even have to step out in the rain to collect it from your box, your box is usually under the front porch awning. This country screwball was fighting to move his mailbox 1/2 mile down a dirt road, when his house was another 1/4 mile down his dirt driveway... I didn't see the point, honestly.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday July 06 2020, @02:20AM (1 child)
It was (and still is) a privately maintained road, dirt, the post office isn't required to drive on private roads to deliver mail - I'm still surprised he made that happen.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 06 2020, @04:34PM
Probably capitualted just to shut the guy up. Quite common actually, but it gives assholes a fake sense of power instead of a real gratefullness for the kindness of others.