Seven countries in the Region to participate in WHO ’s Solidarity PLUS trial

WHO’s Solidarity PLUS trial enters new phase to test 3 new candidate drugs for COVID-19  Cairo, 25 August 2021 – Seven countries in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region have enrolled to participate in the Solidarity PLUS clinical trial led by WHO. Solidarity PLUS will evaluate 3 potential drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 infections – artesunate, imatinib and infliximab – aiming to protect people from severe hospitalization and death because of COVID-19.  These drugs were selected by an independent panel of experts who assess all available evidence on all relevant therapeutics. The drugs have proven effectiveness in treating other life-threatening diseases. Artesunate is used for severe malaria, imatinib for specific cancers, and infliximab for diseases of the immune system, such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers and scientists from Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are joining thousands of researchers in 52 countries worldwide in the study, making up the largest global collaboration on COVID-19 research and development.      “COVID-19 has been the most disruptive public health challenge in the past century. In less than 2 years, the pandemic has claimed over 4.4 million lives across the world, overwhelmed health systems, and disrupted economies and societies. It is critical that we find effective treatments to prevent severe hospitalization and death ...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news