Bhopal: ‘Make Remdesivir free for Covid-19 patients’

BHOPAL: Nearly all critically ill and proven patients of Covid-19 in the state capital are being administered Remdesivir, a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. The drug — used to reduce pulmonary infiltration — is not available for free in the state-run Covid-19 care centres. A recommendation by the Covid-19 expert plan has cited that on the lines of Maharashtra, MP too should make Remdesivir free for Covid-19 patients getting treated at government hospitals.
Remdesivir is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 replication in human nasal and bronchial airway epithelial cells. Early Remdesivir administration was shown to exert significant anti-viral and clinical effects which lead to reduced pulmonary infiltrates, said a Gandhi Medical College consultant, seeking anonymity. The hospital has used intravenous Remdesivir over the past 10 months in patients with Covid-19 with certain amount of success. Case studies have reported benefit in severely ill patients with Covid-19.
However, the clinical and anti-viral efficacy of Remdesivir in Covid-19 remains to be established. Studies on placebo-controlled randomised trial of Remdesivir in patients with severe Covid-19 are being assessed. It includes the assessing potential of long term damage of the injection on human body.
There is no evidence to support the use of Remdesivir/TCZ in asymptomatic patients with comorbidities.