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Early studies indicated that the antiviral drug remdesivir shortened the course of the disease in patients with covid. Therefore, in June, the corona treatment became the first to be approved by the European Medicines Agency.
However, after new clinical studies, the WHO concluded last month that remdesivir has little to no effect on the disease. On Friday, the drug was withdrawn from the WHO-recommended treatment for covid-19. It was then argued that there is no evidence that remdesivir leads to a reduction in mortality and less need for a ventilator for the patient. Recovery time is also not affected.
WHO recommendation it is not binding and the World Health Organization would like to see more evaluative studies of remdesivir. According to the National Board of Health and Welfare, the drug will continue to be used in Sweden
– This will not affect remdesivir use in Sweden, as far as I know today. We’ll discuss it at our meeting Monday, but we’ll buy the drug while the need exists, says Maria State, unit manager for the National Board of Health and Wellness.
She says the Agency for Medical Products has evaluated the new studies and concluded that remdesivir does not affect mortality, nor has that been the purpose of treatment in Sweden, says Maria State.
– It is used because it shortens the hospital stay of patients who need oxygen. It’s still approved on those terms, he says.
National Board of Health and Welfare together With the Medical Products Agency and clinical expert groups in the regions, the assessment is that there are groups of patients that need treatment.
– We have been more restrictive with the use to find the right patients. We have focused on giving it to a group where doctors see remdesivir working, says Maria State.
These include patients with covidity who need oxygen therapy and in whom the virus has been detected in the blood.
– In that town, you do well. For a small group, it is a useful drug.
According to a previous According to forecasts by the National Board of Health and Welfare, 70,000 doses of the drug were needed to treat patients in Sweden. Today, that number is significantly lower.
– At that time, we were not aware of the smallest group of patients who need a belt strap. It was a forecast for the entire population and not a binding purchase. Now we have a permanent dialogue with the pharmaceutical company and we order according to what we need.
During the summer, Sweden received 2,655 doses of remdisivir following an emergency purchase by the EU.
– It lasted a long time. About two weeks ago, the last dose was used. Of course it is a high number, but it is far from the 70,000 that we assumed from the beginning, says María Estado.
WHO notes that treatment with remdisivir is expensive and complex, especially given the limited effects. However, according to Maria State, shopping is not unnecessary.
– We don’t mean to say it’s a waste of money. We must also bear in mind that the WHO makes a recommendation at the group level. But hospitals assess that the drug is beneficial for some patients.
Read more: WHO advises against remdisivir
