The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for increased production of dexamethasone to treat critically ill patients with COVID-19.
“Although the data is preliminary, recent studies, showing that the steroid drug dexamethasone has the potential to save the lives of critically ill patients with COVID-19, give us reason to celebrate. The next challenge is to increase production and distribute dexamethasone rapidly and equitably around the world, with a focus on where it is most needed,” said Ghebreyesus.
According to the WHO chief, the demand for the drug is already outstripping the supply following successful trials in the UK.
“Luckily, that drug is not expensive and there are many dexamethasone producers around the world who are sure they can increase production,” added Ghebreyesus.
On June 16, Ghebreyesus called the first results of clinical trials of dexamethasone against COVID-19 in the United Kingdom a “scientific advance.”
According to the study carried out by the University of Oxford, this corticosteroid, normally used as an anti-inflammatory, reduces the risk of death in ventilator-connected patients by 35%, and that of patients receiving treatment with 20%. oxygen.
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