Trump’s administration has bought the next 500,000 doses of
the anti-viral drug, Remdesvir, from manufacturer Gilead, a figure that
represents Gilead’s entire production for July, and 90% of all the drug that
the company will produce throughout August and September.
At first, 140,000 doses of the drug was delivered to
countries all over the world for trials and it was during this time the drug's
success rate in treating patients was discovered.
The company first created it as treatment for Ebola, but with it's success in
treating covid-19 patients, the company now plans to charge American patients
$3,200 for six doses.
White House immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci in April said
remdesivir cannot cure or prevent Covid-19, but hospitalized patients given the
drug were found to recover 31% faster than those who weren’t given the drug.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, praised
the US buy saying:
‘President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure
Americans have access to the first authorized therapeutic for Covid-19.
‘To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American
patient who needs remdesivir can get it. The Trump administration is doing
everything in our power to learn more about life-saving therapeutics for
Covid-19 and secure access to these options for the American people.’
UK doctor and scientist, Dr Andrew Hill from the University
of Liverpool reacting to the US' hoarding of the drug told The Guardian:
‘They’ve got access to most of the drug supply (of remdesivir), so there’s
nothing for Europe.’
"Remdesivir is under Gilead’s patent, meaning no other
drug company can manufacture its own supplies."
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