Tedros Adhanom Gebrejesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, called the results of clinical trials of dexamethasone steroid for treatment of COVID-19 a "scientific breakthrough" in the UK.
A study conducted in Oxford showed that the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone reduces the risk of death of patients with COVID-19 connected to a ventilator by 35%, among patients receiving oxygen - by 20%. The pack of pills in Britain costs only about five pounds (437 rubles - ed.). The British government approved dexamethasone for the treatment of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
"This is the first medicine that has shown a decrease in mortality among COVID-19 patients who need oxygen treatment or artificial ventilation of the lungs," the organization says.
Hebraeus called the test results "great news".
The WHO reported that the United Kingdom had provided the organizations with preliminary results of the study and hoped to receive a full analysis of the data as soon as possible.
Avifavir based on Favipiravir was previously approved in Russia for the treatment of COVID-19. It's proved to be effective in clinical trials. In May, the drug was registered by the Ministry of Health. So far it cannot be purchased from a pharmacy, it is only available to patients and used under medical supervision.
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti