CLEVELAND — While there’s still no cure for coronavirus, a new antiviral drug has arrived in Ohio.
The state received 20 cases of remdesivir, which is aimed to help shorten the duration of the virus. The Ohio Department of Health reports about 100 coronavirus patients will receive the drug. The amount of medicine distributed to each state was determined based on the number of patients on ventilators.
The decision comes from groups of clinical leaders across the country.
After clinical testing, 1.5 million vials of the drug are being donated worldwide from its maker Gilead Sciences. The FDA approved the move with about 607,000 vials coming to the U.S. over the next six weeks. The agency projects 78,000 patients will receive treatment. However, that number still not matching the demand to treat all hospitalized patients. In Ohio alone more than 4,000 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized and 1,200 of those have been admitted to an intensive care unit.
Remdesivir is administered through an IV and has been found to shorten the recovery time of some COVID-19 patients by four days, but lawmakers say the cost could slow things down. Researchers estimate treatment could cost more than $4,000. Though, Gilead will ultimately name its price.
Doctors continue to warn this not a cure, but an emergency short-term remedy for coronavirus. The Ohio Department of Health says local hospitals will determine which patients will receive remdesivir.
