WHO removes REMDESIVIR from the list of coronavirus vaccines

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Remdesivir vaccine
Remdesivir vaccine

New Delhi : The World Health Organisation (WHO) has removed Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug Remdesivir from the list of medicines which are being tested for the cure of coronavirus.

In an email response to news agency Reuters, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said,”Yes we have suspended it from the PQ (prequalification list). The suspension is a signal to countries that WHO, in compliance with the treatment guidelines, does not recommend countries procure the drug for COVID.”

He mentioned that WHO was not informed about any international procurers who were providing the drug to low-income countries.

Earlier on Friday, the WHO had warned that the antiviral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat COVID patients, no matter how ill they are as there is no evidence it works.

“The panel found a lack of evidence that remdesivir improved outcomes that matter to patients such as reduced mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, time to clinical improvement, and others,” Xinhua news agency quoted the WHO’s Guideline Development Group (GDG) panel as saying in a statement.

“Any beneficial effects of remdesivir, if they do exist, are likely to be small and the possibility of important harm remains,” the panel added.