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MHRA supports use of remdesivir for COVID-19

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (26 May 2020) published the first positive scientific opinion under the Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) for use of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19.

The move will support the use of remdesivir for adults and adolescents hospitalised with severe infection who meet additional clinical criteria. As part of the scientific opinion, a framework to collect safety data and manage risks will be implemented.

Remdesivir’s current use in the UK will be for patients in cases of high unmet medical need determined by a physician through the EAMS, where it will be provided to the NHS free of charge by the manufacturer throughout the EAMS period.

Remdesivir is delivered by intravenous infusion lasting 30 to 120 minutes, once a day. The recommended dose for adults and adolescent patients (≥12 years of age) weighing ≥40 kg is:

  • a single starting dose of 200 mg on day 1
  • then daily doses of 100 mg starting on day 2.

For patients not on a ventilator, remdesivir is administered every day for a total five days but this can be extended to 10 days.

For patients on a ventilator and/or on ECMO will be given remdesivir every day for a total of 10 days.

Blood tests should be carried out before treatment starts and every day during their treatment to monitor renal and liver function.

The drug will also continue to be used in clinical trials.

The MHRA stressed that remdesivir does not stop people from passing the COVID-19 virus on to others, and it does not prevent infection. Patients will still need to be in isolation during treatment.


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