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New Zealand researchers are leading major clinical trials to test drugs for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19.
All three trials are being run by the Institute for Medical Research.
Photo: AFP
All three trials are being led by the Institute for Medical Research with nearly $ 1 million in funding from the state-run New Zealand Health Research Council.
The first trial will evaluate 16 drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and steroids, in thousands of intensive care patients with Covid-19-related pneumonia, in 15 countries.
The trial’s co-leader, Dr. Colin McArthur, an intensive care specialist at Auckland City Hospital, said that because of the country’s involvement, New Zealand patients will receive treatment that is likely to be more effective.
“It allows us to evaluate multiple treatments at the same time, on the same patient, combining results from around the world, and then use this to influence the care of future patients, to ensure that they, too, are more likely to receive the best treatment regimen. treatment available.
“We can quickly abandon treatments if they are shown to be less effective than others or worse than standard care, and add others to the study over time if necessary,” said Dr. Arthur.
In the second trial, the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine, prematurely hailed as a cure by US President Donald Trump, will be administered to 70 people with the virus in Wellington and Auckland who do not require hospital treatment.
Volunteer patients should document their symptoms for 28 days.
The researchers are looking to see if it stops the virus from spreading to your lungs and other organs.
This clinical trial will begin if there is an increase in the rate of Covid-19 infections in this country later in the year.
Some frontline health workers will receive a weekly dose of the same medication for the third trial, to see if it is effective as a preventive treatment.
Like the second trial, it will only start if the number of Covid-19 cases increases in New Zealand in the coming months.
Wellington Hospital principal investigator and ICU specialist Dr. Paul Young said the trial is believed to be the first of its kind.
“In Italy, we have seen Covid-19 completely overwhelm the healthcare system, stressing the importance of all countries having top-notch healthcare workers fit and able to meet demand, both now and during future waves. of the virus, “Young said. .
Dr. Richard Beasley, director of the Institute for Medical Research, said the subsequent findings would help guide New Zealand’s pandemic response.
“The firm intention is that because of international collaborations … we will have strong data that will guide management in New Zealand long before the pandemic has ended.”
The trials will allow researchers to assess the disease across the spectrum of severity, from mild illness to critically ill patients, he said.
“Clinical trials will evaluate multiple potential therapeutic agents, including hydroxychloroquine, one of several medications that are receiving media attention as a possible treatment for Covid-19.
“These grants recognize the importance of international collaboration and the timely need to protect our health workers on the front line of this crisis.”
Dr. Beasley said the Health Research Council funds recognized the importance of international collaboration and the need to protect frontline healthcare workers.
- if you have symptom for coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 health line at 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP; do not show up at a medical center
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