The European Union’s drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency, on Thursday recommended two new treatments for covid-19 for use among EU member states, as well as giving advice on the use of another, pending its approval.
In separate statements on its website, the EMA recommended the use of Swedish-made drug Kineret and US-made Xevudy for the treatment of covid-19.
The EMA had previously approved Kineret for use as an anti-inflammatory drug. However, in its recommendation on Thursday, the agency recommended its use as a treatment for adult covid-19 patients who also suffer from pneumonia that requires extra oxygen and are at risk of developing severe respiratory failure.
They said that Kineret could reduce the inflammation associated with covid-19, reduce the damage to the lower respiratory tract and prevent the development of severe respiratory failure. The drug is manufactured by the Swedish pharmaceutical company Orphan Biovitrum.
EMA also recommended GlaxoSmithKline’s recommended Xevudy for the treatment of adults and children suffering from covid-19 who do not require extra oxygen and who are at increased risk of the disease becoming serious. The EMA cited data suggesting that Xevudy, a monoclonal antibody drug, was effective in preventing severe covid-19 symptoms and preventing hospitalization.
The agency also offered advice on the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatment pill Paxlovid. While the drug is not yet authorized in the EU, the EMA said it can be used to treat adults who do not need extra oxygen and who are at increased risk of developing a serious illness.
They say that Paxlovid should be administered as soon as possible after the diagnosis of covid-19 and within five days after the onset of symptoms.
The Agency’s advice can now be used to support those EU countries that choose to recommend the use of Paxlovid before formal EMU approval.
The EMA said it will continue its rolling review of the drug.
Some information on this report was provided by Agence France-Presse.
-
VOA News
Subscribe
Source: sn.dk