Remdesivir is First Covid-19 Treatment to Receive FDA Approval

The first covid-19 treatment has been approved by the FDA. Remdesivir is cleared for treating those 12 years of age and older requiring hospitalization for the coronavirus infection. Earlier this month a world health organization sponsored study said the drug did not help patients survive or recover faster but did help shorten recovery time by a third for some patients. The FDA uses data submitted by a drug maker when considering approval. The FDA also considered two other studies. One showed a slight benefit of the drug and another showed the drug did not make much difference. Remdesivir is sold under the brand name Veklury and has been used under emergency use authorization since may. The FDA commissioner says “as part of the coronavirus treatment acceleration program, the agency will to continue to help move new medical products to patients as soon as possible, while at the same time determining whether they are effective and if their benefits outweigh their risks.”