This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
On 1 May 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for remdesivir, an antiviral medicine, mainly based on a study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the USA.
The study showed that remdesivir shortened the time to recovery in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
On 25 June 2020, remdesivir was recommended for a conditional marketing authorisation by the European Medicines Agency, a regulatory mechanism to facilitate early access to medicines that fulfil an unmet medical need, including in emergency situations in response to public health threats such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Commercial head of Cipla in Sub-Saharan Africa, Martin Sweeney, says: “As part of our ethos of Caring for Life, Cipla always aims to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving medication. We’re committed to help find a solution in the fight against this unprecedented global pandemic. CIPLA will make remdesivir available in Kenya at a significantly reduced price in comparison to other markets.”
Cipla will commence manufacturing of remdesivir at one of its FDA-, WHO- and Pharmacy and Poisons Board(PPB)-approved production facilities.
