Uganda is set to start using anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat people who fall critically ill from coronavirus disease or COVID-19, a deal being brokered with India to provide the country with cheaper generic versions of the drug.
Two Indian companies CIPLA and Hetero Pharmaceuticals that only started manufacturing the drug for emergency use in June following a deal with the original maker Gilead Sciences have already expressed interest in supplying Uganda.
Dr Bruce Kirenga a lung expert who is part of the COVID-19 treatment team in Uganda told journalists that the drug originally studied for use in Ebola patients and manufactured in the United States of America has the potential to save a lot of people from succumbing to the viral respiratory infection.
Dr. Bruce 1 on drugs speaking;…
While they would have long put it among the range of drugs on the country’s treatment protocols, Dr. Kirenga says it has been very difficult to get the drug given the current demand globally and its high price.
Kirenga says some batches of the drug are already in the country, although actual dispensing is yet to start.
Dr. Bruce Two on dispensing;…
Dr.Kirenga says that just like all medicines that they are currently using including dexamethasone. ENDS .
