Doctors say Remdesivir not effective; Are pharma companies playing with people's sentiments and minting money?

In corona 1.0,  it was Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Its sale skyrocketed once Donald Trump called it a wonder drug. In 2.0 version of corona it is Remdesivir. And the efficacy of both the drugs in treating COVID-19 is quite doubtful. Are pharma companies then playing with people's sentiments and minting money in this pandemic.

The question is raised because amidst the black marketing of Remdesivir, doctors say it is a false perception that this injection is important for treatment of Covid patients and that it is a game-changer.

Nodal officer for Covid at KGMU Dr Surya Kant Tripathi said he is against the use of Remdesivir and that it is a false perception that it is a game-changer.

“Studies are totally against it and it was propagated for the treatment of severe pneumonia, but the trial stopped later. In very selective cases, doctors are using it but I am not using it in the treatment of Covid patients,” he said.

President of People’s Health Organisation Dr Ishwar Gilada also said that it is a totally false perception that Remdesivir is important for COVID-19 treatment.

Giving a backgrounder, he said that the drug was first used in 2010 for Hepatitis C, but was not found to be effective, and was later used for other diseases.

“When coronavirus outbreak happened, many drugs were repurposed. A random trial with Remdesivir showed that it did not prevent death but only lessened hospitalisation by two days,” he said.

He said no guidelines have been issued regarding the usage of Remdesivir, but a lot of doctors are in a habit of using it and patients themselves start demanding it.

“The doctors started using it and vouching that it was effective but it does not help and there is no scientific evidence,” he said.

He added that hospitals are also making money because they are getting it for Rs 800-1,000 but they are selling it at higher costs.

“Patients insist on using it because they are not very satisfied on being given only a couple of medicines for Covid treatment. What remains crucial for treatment is the oxygen supply and steroids,” he said.