MEXICO CITY – Mexico yesterday approved antiviral drug remdesivir for emergency use to treat Covid-19 patients in the country, one of the worst hit by the pandemic.
Regulatory agency Cofepris said it has authorised the medicine for use exclusively by hospitals and specialist doctors during the early stages of the illness.
Mexico joins other countries, including the United States, Canada and Japan, as well as the European Commission, that have approved the treatment for use against the coronavirus.
Remdesivir, made by US pharma giant Gilead, was one of the first drugs to show relative promise in shortening the recovery period in some Covid-19 patients.
However, its efficacy in reducing the mortality rate is unproven.
A World Health Organisation-backed study last October said the drug has “little or no effect” on Covid-19 mortality.
Mexico, a country of 126 million people, has recorded more than 193,000 coronavirus deaths – the world’s third-highest toll. – AFP, March 13, 2021
