Seoul embraces US-made drug remdesivir for Covid-19 treatment
The anti-viral drug remdesivir, developed by US giant Gilead, has been added by South Korea to guidelines for treating Covid-19 patients, while the affordable steroid dexamethasone has been given the cold shoulder.
Remdesivir, which was originally created to treat hepatitis C and unsuccessfully pushed as an anti-Ebola medication, has been given the green light by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The drug will now be used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, in line with updated national guidelines.
The ministry has also cautioned against the steroid dexamethasone, saying during a Friday press briefing that the drug should be used with special care.