WHO recommends two new drugs to combat COVID-19
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Amid the rise of the Omicron COVID-19 variant infections, the WHO concluded two drugs as effective to treat the virus.
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WHO recommends two new drugs to combat COVID-19 infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended two new drugs to combat COVID-19 infections.
Baricitinib, an oral drug, is the first new drug recommended for critical COVID-19 cases. The drug is used to suppress the immune system when overstimulated.
The WHO recommends that the drug be given with corticosteroids.
For mild cases, sotrovimab is recommended as a monoclonal antibody drug. The drug should be prescribed to patients that are unvaccinated, elderly, obese, or with compromised immune systems.
“The extent to which these medicines will save lives depends on how widely available and affordable they will be,” the WHO said in its statement.
The recommendations come in light of concerns of non-effective COVID-19 treatments against the omicron variant.
On Friday, the two drugs were also invited to go through the WHO's Prequalification Unit, which "assesses the quality, efficacy, and safety of priority health products to increase access in low-income countries."
After evaluating evidence gathered in seven trials of examining 4,000 mild, severe, and critical COVID-19 cases, the WHO recommended the drugs.
The Food and Drug Administration has already approved baricitinib and sotrovimab for emergency use and recommended against ruxolitinib and tofacitinib due to their uncertain effects.
