FDA Approves First COVID-19 Drug: The Antiviral Remdesivir
On Thursday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first drug to treat COVID-19: remdesivir, an antiviral medicine given to hospitalized patients through an IV.
The drug had been authorized for use on an emergency basis since spring but now, it has become the first drug to win full US approval for treating Covid-19, according to The Guardian.
RELATED: President Trump Claims He Self-Medicates With Regeneron And Calls COVID “A Blessing”
Gilead Sciences, the drug’s maker, made the announcement Thursday, saying the medicine, would only be used in cases that required hospitalization. The Associated Press reported that the drug will be sold under the brand name Veklury. As many know, Remdesivir was used to “treat” President Donald Trump when he was hospitalized for three days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier this month after testing “positive” for the virus.
The drug has gotten mixed reviews by public health officials but the World Health Organization also conducted a study that last week concluded the drug has “little or no effect” on death rates among hospitalized patients.
Press Play Below For More:
RELATED: Trump Halts COVID-19 Relief Talks Until After The Election