Alex Azar, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services boasted of President Trump’s “amazing deal” that has bought the world’s entire supply of Gilead Sciences’ Remdesivir, a drug that some research suggests could speed the recovery of coronavirus patients.
Azar added, “To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs Remdesivir can get it.”
What it means:
- The Feds will buy 100% of the supply of the California based company’s production in July, plus 90% of the supply in August and September — enough to treat around 80,000 patients.
- The deal between the government and Gilead means that low and middle-income countries will be able to make their own generic version, but Europe will be unable to buy it or make it.
- With the cost at $391 per vial and $2,340 per course of treatment, it points to $70 million of taxpayer money to Gilead for development of the drug.
- Doctors have rationed the current supply for the most needy patients, while Gilead donated all of its supply in the month of May.
- Originally developed to treat hepatitis and respiratory viruses, early research shows that it speeds the recovery of those severely ill with COVID-19 from 15 days to 11 days in a control group.
See this story at Forbes.
