They claim the United States purchased all available three-month doses of a coronavirus drug

06/30/2020 - 18:39

• Clarín.com
• World

While several states across the country are facing a pickup in cases, the U.S. government has purchased virtually all doses of one of the two drugs that work against Covid-19 for the next three months, leaving none for the UK, Europe or most of the rest of the world, according to experts quoted by the British newspaper The Guardian .

Health professionals and activists are alarmed by both the White House's unilateral action on  remdesivir and the broader implications, for example, in the event that a vaccine is available. The Donald Trump administration has already shown that it is prepared to go ahead of all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the U.S.

"They have access to most of the drug supply (remdesivir), so there is nothing for Europe," said Dr. Andrew Hill, a visiting researcher at the University of Liverpool.

Remdesivir, the first medication approved by the licensing authorities in the United States to treat Covid-19, is manufactured by the Gilead laboratory and has been shown to help people recover more quickly from the disease.

The first 140,000 doses, delivered to drug trials worldwide, have been exhausted . The Trump administration, which approved this drug for Covid-19 treatment on May 1, has now purchased more than 500,000 doses, which is all Gilead production for July and 90% for August and September, according to The Guardian. .

Dr. Anthony Fauci, an adviser to the White House, admitted that the situation of the pandemic is complicated in the United States. / REUTERS

"President Trump has reached an incredible deal to ensure that Americans have access to the first authorized therapeutic treatment for Covid-19," said United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. “As much as possible, we want to make sure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it. The Trump administration is doing everything in our power to learn more about life-saving therapies for Covid-19 and to ensure access to these options for the American people, "he added.

The drug, which was developed to fight Ebola but didn't work, is patented by Gilead, which means that no other company in rich countries can manufacture it. The cost is around $ 3,200 for a six-dose treatment, according to the US government statement.

The deal was announced when it became clear that Washington has failed to tame the pandemic. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's leading public health expert and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Senate that the United States was backing down.

"We are going in the wrong direction," Fauci said. Last week, the United States saw a new daily record of 40,000 new coronavirus cases in one day. "I wouldn't be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this doesn't change," he said. He could not provide an estimated death toll, but said: "It will be very disturbing, I guarantee it."

The United States has recorded more than 2.5 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 . Some states lifted the restrictions but had to back down due to a flare-up. On Monday, the Arizona governor ordered the closure of bars, cinemas, gyms and water parks for a month, weeks after it reopened. Texas, Florida and California also had to impose restrictions in recent days due to the increase in infections.