Switzerland fast-tracks antiviral medication against Covid-19
Remdesivir has already been granted temporary approval in other countries.
Keystone / Marcel Kusch
The Swiss health authorities have granted approval for the remdesivir drug in “record time” for treating coronavirus patients. The temporary authorisation to widen the use of the antiviral drug will be closely monitored in case of adverse side effects.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Swissmedic, the agency that oversees the use of medicaments in Switzerland, took days to fast-track approval of the drug, which is produced under the brand name Veklury by US biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences. The application for its extended use was only received on Monday.
It can now be used for a limited period of time to treat patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia who also require oxygen.
The drug has been authorized for emergency use in the United States, India, Singapore, South Korea and Japan and has been recommended by the European Medicines Agency to treat coronavirus patients in the EU.
Swissmedic said on Thursday that it had conducted a “careful review in record time” of the drug. Hospital doctors have now been given the green light to administer the treatment. “Adverse reactions to the drug will be closely monitored in order to ensure patient safety,” read a statement.
“The product will also be made available to patients outside approved clinical trials and the approved compassionate use programme while the submitted authorisation application is being reviewed,” it added.
Clinical trials in the US on medicaments containing the active ingredient remdesivir found that the hospital stay of severely affected Covid-19 patients was shortened in almost a third of cases.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
Swiss institute hosted informal talks between Russians, Ukrainians and Americans
This content was published on
The Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) has hosted 10 meetings between Russian and Ukrainian interlocutors since the start of the war.
Automated driving on Swiss motorways is theoretically possible from March
This content was published on
It will be theoretically possible to hand over the steering wheel to technology but no such system has been submitted for official approval yet.
Heated atmosphere at Swiss rally against AfD politician Alice Weidel
This content was published on
Around 250 people demonstrated "against the right" and the German AfD politician Alice Weidel on Saturday afternoon in Einsiedeln.
This content was published on
The Ethos Foundation recommends that shareholders vote against all compensation-related items at the Annual General Meeting on March 7.
Top Swiss firms close to reaching gender quota in boards
This content was published on
The proportion of women on the boards of directors of the fifty largest listed companies in Switzerland currently stands at 28%.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Sixteen Swiss hospitals take part in coronavirus global Solidarity trial
This content was published on
Some 1,000 patients in Switzerland are expected to participate in trials of experimental treatments for Covid-19 as part of global Solidarity trial.
Fight over rights to Covid-19 drugs puts Switzerland in a tough spot
This content was published on
As calls mount for equitable access, Switzerland is caught between established practice and global solidarity in how to encourage medical innovation.
This content was published on
Swiss scientists and drug companies are playing an important role in the global effort to develop treatments or a vaccine for the virus.
Swiss hospitals launch drug trial to prevent Covid-19 infection
This content was published on
Researchers in Geneva and Basel have launched a clinical trial to test two drugs on people that have been in contact with Covid-19 patients.
Novartis steps up coronavirus fight as part of new collaboration
This content was published on
Several big pharmaceutical companies have joined forces with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Balancing hope and science in the search for a coronavirus cure
This content was published on
The debate surrounding the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine epitomises companies' balancing act between hope and scientific realities.
Covid-19 is both threat and opportunity for Swiss biotech
This content was published on
Although the coronavirus pandemic is the Swiss biotech industry’s time to shine, it has left many smaller firms struggling to survive.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.