This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
Published on June 19, 2020, a mass treatment trial led by Oxford University found that a low-dose steroid named dexamethasone could reduce mortality among ventilated patients by a third.
Aspen Pharmacare, the largest drug producer in Africa, has announced plans to 'ramp up production' of the drug, according to Stavros Nicolaou, a senior executive at the company.
Aspen currently manufactures dexamethasone tablets in Germany and contracts the drug's injectable form to third parties.
The World Health Organization has flagged further research on the cheap and widely available steroid as a 'priority', which is likely to lead to a surge in demand.
Aspen's shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange soared to a three-month high after the study's release on Tuesday.
Established in 1850, Aspen has been a major supplier of anaesthetics to European countries fighting COVID-19.
