WHO calls to ramp up dexamethasone production for Covid-19 patients

The World Health Organization known as Monday for a speedy improve in manufacturing of the steroid dexamethasone, after British medical trials discovered it had life-saving potential for critically-ill coronavirus sufferers.

Researchers led by a group from the University of Oxford administered dexamethasone to greater than 2,000 severely in poor health sufferers hospitalised with the brand new coronavirus.

Among those that might solely breathe with the assistance of a ventilator, it decreased deaths by 35 %.

“Although the data are still preliminary, the recent finding that the steroid dexamethasone has life-saving potential for critically ill COVID-19 patients gave us a much-needed reason to celebrate,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus instructed a digital information convention in Geneva.

“The next challenge is to increase production and rapidly and equitably distribute dexamethasone worldwide, focusing on where it is needed most.

“Demand has already surged, following the UK trial results showing dexamethasone’s clear benefit.

“Fortunately, this is an inexpensive medicine and there are many dexamethasone manufacturers worldwide, who we are confident can accelerate production.”

A low-dose steroid, dexamethasone has been available on the market for over 60 years and often serves to scale back irritation.

The WHO emphasises that dexamethasone ought to solely be used for sufferers with extreme or important illness, below shut medical supervision.

There isn’t any proof that the drug works for sufferers with gentle illness or as a preventative measure, and it might trigger hurt, Tedros mentioned.

The variety of confirmed coronavirus instances worldwide has topped 9 million, in keeping with an AFP tally utilizing official sources.

“It seems that almost every day we reach a new and grim record,” mentioned Tedros.

“Some countries are continuing to see a rapid increase in cases and deaths.”

The UN well being company mentioned it was transport greater than 140 million gadgets of private protecting tools, 14,000 oxygen concentrators and tens of millions of exams to 135 international locations.