The European Union has authorized the use of remdesivir to treat severe cases of Coronavirus.
This was announced on Friday 3rd July, days after the US effectively stockpiled the world’s entire supply of the antiviral medication.
It was approved after two major US studies showed that remdesivir can minimize the duration of hospital stay for COVID-19 patients.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said in a statement;
“Today’s authorisation of a first medicine to treat COVID-19 is an important step forward in the fight against this virus.”
“We are granting this authorisation less than a month after the application was submitted, showing clearly the EU’s determination to respond quickly whenever new treatments become available.”
Remdesivir which was originally intended as a treatment for Ebola is currently the only anti-coronavirus medication given green light in the EU.
It was approved in UK at the end of May, with health officials emphasizing that it would only be used to treat the patients with worst cases.
It is also one of two drugs approved in Britain to treat COVID-19, the other being dexamethasone.
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