The novel corona virus has paralyzed public life in Germany. Researchers are looking for a vaccine at full speed. Now drugs are to be used in a targeted manner.
- Germany is using all means to prepare for further corona cases *.
- The number of corona cases and fatalities with Covid-19 * is increasing.
- Health Minister Spahn hopes for drugs and vaccines.
- You can also find current case numbers in Germany as a map. The following recommendations for Corona protective measures * are currently available.
Berlin - The corona pandemic requires extraordinary measures. Researchers worldwide are desperately looking for a vaccine against the novel coronavirus Sars-Cov-2 . The renowned virologist Christian Drosten considers some expectations of a fast vaccine to be excessive.
Some medications appear to help patients treat severe Covid-19 cases. For example, we talk about antiviral flu drugs and well-known malaria drugs.
Corona in Germany: Malaria drugs against virus - Spahn hopes
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn hopes that targeted drugs can soon be used to treat the lung disease Covid-19 . "There are first indications that certain medications seem to help," said the CDU politician in Bild live. For this purpose, studies should be made "as soon as possible".
However, care must also be taken: Patients must be protected because every medication also has side effects. There are already a number of studies in Germany, including on the "old malaria remedy" Resochin (active ingredient chloroquine phosphate) from the pharmaceutical and chemical group Bayer. But there are also other drugs that could help.
Corona in Germany: Medicines and vaccines should come onto the market earlier
In any case, a drug will be on the market much earlier than a vaccine, said Spahn, and is in line with many experts. “Vaccine development is even more challenging. We have known the malaria drug for years and decades. We know the effects and side effects, ”said Spahn. These effects and side effects must now be weighed up again for use in the treatment of coronavirus diseases. "The vaccine is more of a question of several months than of a few months." But he did not want to commit himself, Spahn said and added: "I would be the happiest Minister of Health in the world if we had a vaccine in three or six months. But I am also a realist enough and have enough advice from experts to know that it can take twelve months. ”Politicians should therefore not raise false hopes.
Bayer announced on Thursday that it would create production opportunities for the active ingredient chloroquine in Europe in the fight against the lung disease Covid-19. The drug for malaria prophylaxis , which was developed in the 1930s, has been under discussion for a few weeks after tests on cell cultures have shown an inhibition of the multiplication of the novel coronavirus.
dpa / ml
