US buys almost all the global remdesivir supply

Valentina N.A.D. Okang

US President Donald Trump’s administration has secured almost all the world’s upcoming supply of the drug remdesivir.

The drug, produced by the firm Gilead Sciences, is the first approved by authorities in the US to be used to treat Covid-19.

It has been shown to help people recover faster from the disease.

A statement from the Department of Health and Human services says Trump struck an “amazing” deal with Gilead for 500,000 doses which amounts to 100% of Gilead’s production in July, 90% of it in August and 90% in September.

A treatment course of remdesivir is, on average, 6.25 vials.

What is remdesivir?

Remdesivir is an anti-viral medicine that has been used against Ebola. It works by attacking an enzyme that a virus needs in order to replicate inside our cells.

It has been approved for use in Covid-19 patients by the US and the UK, among other countries.

Early data suggests it can cut recovery time by about four days, but there is no evidence yet that it will save more lives.

Gilead Sciences has signed agreements with drug makers in South Asia to expand supply.

The agreement between Gilead and five generic pharmaceutical companies in India and Pakistan will help make the medicine for 127 countries.

Share This Article