This antiviral is the first drug authorized by Health Canada for the treatment of patients with severe symptoms of Covid-19. The EU, the US and Japan had already authorized the treatment.
At the beginning of July, the European Commission also authorized the “conditional marketing” of remdesivir.
KEYSTONE
Canada on Tuesday authorized the marketing “with conditions” of the antiviral remdesivir, used in the treatment of patients severely affected by the novel coronavirus.
“Health Canada authorizes, with conditions, the use of remdesivir”, announced the ministry, specifying that it is the “first drug authorized by Health Canada for the treatment of Covid-19”.
This antiviral is authorized “for the treatment of patients who have severe symptoms of Covid-19 and pneumonia and who need additional oxygen to help them breathe,” the ministry said in a statement.
These patients must be over 12 years of age and weigh at least 40 kilograms. Remdesivir “will only be used in healthcare facilities where patients can be closely monitored.”
Modest effect
Initially developed against Ebola hemorrhagic fever, this antiviral is the first therapy to have demonstrated some efficacy in patients hospitalized for Covid-19 in a clinical trial of significant size, even if the effect is considered to be modest.
The antiviral will be manufactured in Canada by a subsidiary of the American laboratory that developed it, Gilead Sciences.
At the beginning of July, the European Commission also authorized the “conditional marketing” of remdesivir. The treatment had previously been approved by other countries such as the United States and Japan.
As of Tuesday, Canada recorded 114,800 cases of coronavirus and more than 8,900 deaths.
(AFP/NXP)
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