There have been at least three instances where the drug regulator has approved a drug or vaccine but the COVID-19 National Task Force has taken a diametrically opposite stand and not included the drug/vaccine in the national treatment protocol. But the task force was quick to accept the and include the approval given to repurposed … Continue reading Conflicting signals from drug regulator, COVID-19 national task force
Hydroxychloroquine
India ill prepared despite lessons learnt in the first wave
After painfully negotiating numerous hurdles during the first wave that peaked in mid-September last year, India appears to have learnt little as more ferocious second wave is ravaging the country. After painfully negotiating numerous hurdles during the first wave that peaked in mid-September last year, India appears to have learnt little as more ferocious second … Continue reading India ill prepared despite lessons learnt in the first wave
WHO halts hydroxychloroquine arm of Solidarity trial
About two weeks after the RECOVERY trial announced that hydroxychloroquine does not reduce deaths among hospitalised COVID-19 patients and was halting the trial, the WHO has stopped the hydroxychloroquine arm of the Solidarity trial. About two weeks after the RECOVERY trial announced that it is halting the hydroxychloroquine arm as the drug does not prevent … Continue reading WHO halts hydroxychloroquine arm of Solidarity trial
FDA revokes emergency use authorisation for hydroxychloroquine
On June 15, FDA revoked the emergency use authorisation for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine that was issued on March 27. The FDA said it is no longer reasonable to believe that the drugs may be effective in treating COVID-19 nor the potential benefits outweigh potential risks. On June 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revoked … Continue reading FDA revokes emergency use authorisation for hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine does not prevent deaths, RECOVERY trial finds
The RECOVERY trial, a large randomised controlled trial in the UK to test five drugs, found that hydroxychloroquine drug did not cause significant reduction in mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Enrollment of participants to the hydroxychloroquine arm has been stopped with immediate effect. The RECOVERY trial, a large randomised controlled trial in the UK to … Continue reading Hydroxychloroquine does not prevent deaths, RECOVERY trial finds
Recovery Trial for COVID-19 to test five drugs
The Recovery Trial will test five already approved drugs — HIV drug Lopinavir-Ritonavir, anti-inflammatory corticosteroid (dexamethasone), anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin — on COVID-19 patients. It will also test tocilizumab on patients whose conditions worsen. With a range of already approved drugs now being tested on COVID-19 patients, there is no clarity on which … Continue reading Recovery Trial for COVID-19 to test five drugs
Coronavirus: Randomised, control trial shows hydroxychloroquine does not reduce viral load
Results of a randomised, control trial using hydroxychloroquine drug in 150 COVID-19 patients show that the drug does not reduce the viral load even on day 28. However, patients who got the drug did show quicker alleviation of clinical symptoms.Results of a randomised, control trial using hydroxychloroquine drug in 150 COVID-19 patients show that the … Continue reading Coronavirus: Randomised, control trial shows hydroxychloroquine does not reduce viral load
Coronavirus: Lifting the drug export ban is correct though done under pressure
Given the circumstances, it would be difficult to believe that the decision to lift the restriction was taken independent of U.S. pressure. But the pandemic has seen several countries displaying solidarity and cooperation providing essential supplies to others even while tackling the novel coronavirus in their own backyards. After imposing a blanket ban on the … Continue reading Coronavirus: Lifting the drug export ban is correct though done under pressure
Hydroxychloroquine study: Publisher expresses ‘concerns’ about the paper
The journal that published a paper claiming that hydroxychloroquine had “significant” success in treating COVID-19 patients now has an expression of “concerns” published by its publisher. On March 23, ICMR approved the use of drug as a prophylaxis by healthcare workers and those caring for COVID-19 patients. Aabout 10 days after the Indian Council of … Continue reading Hydroxychloroquine study: Publisher expresses ‘concerns’ about the paper
Small trial shows hydroxychloroquine has potential to treat COVID-19
A small randomised control trial involving 62 COVID-19 patients found the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can improve pneumonia and reduce the time to clinical recovery. No serious adverse effects were seen. A small trial involving 62 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University has found that the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine given to patients … Continue reading Small trial shows hydroxychloroquine has potential to treat COVID-19
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