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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: 1, Interesting) by Coligny on Monday July 06 2020, @03:09AM (2 children)
“ proven to work against Covid-19,”
That’s not exactly what real scientistering people are saying...
And from memory it’s the third time Gilead try to push its miracle snakeoil. Last time it was against ebola. Can’t remember the first one. I’m just surprised they didn’t try to sale it as replacement for adblue on diesel cars...
Early intake of dextro chloroquine and azithromycin stull being the drug actually working against the viral load. While not costing 2000usd a pill. (Maybe half a buck if you buy a small box, but by the kilo it’s ridiculously cheap.
If I wanted to be moderated by mor0nic groupthinking retards I would still be on Digg and Reddshit.
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 06 2020, @03:51AM (1 child)
That's a mainstream media mantra - Trump mentioned Hydroxychloroquine in his press conferences, so the media had to anoint another medicine as the "true Covid-19 savior drug". Nothing Trump says is allowed to be considered helpful.
(Score: 1) by WeekendMonkey on Monday July 06 2020, @10:02AM
Trump is just like the boy who cried wolf. There are some many inaccuracies and lies that after a while everyone stopped doing due diligence checks on his statements and simply assume it is false.