Nevertheless, Wiersinga is enthusiastic. “It is the first time that we actually have an antiviral drug in our hands. So a means that can directly kill the coronavirus. It’s really something we’ve been waiting for.”
Alternative to vaccine?
According to Wilfred Genee, there is talk of a game changer, but Wiersinga wouldn’t call it that (yet). “You just have to see what the data looks like when the study is complete.” The professor also states that we are dealing with a smart virus. “It can also become resistant to such a pill.”
Still, according to the professor, it is not too early to say whether the medicine can be an alternative to vaccination. The answer is no. “Preventing this potentially fatal disease remains paramount. And you do that with a vaccine, which is extremely effective. Vaccination as prevention remains the most, most important thing.”
Pricey pill
And when it comes on the market, Wiersinga suspects that the drug will only be available to a small group of people, because of the high cost of the drug. According to him, a cure of five days costs about 600 euros. “So it would then only be for people who don’t have the vaccine working well, or for people whose health is at high risk.”
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You can listen to the entire interview with professor of internal medicine Joost Wiersinga below.
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