This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
World first coronavirus treatment approved for NHS use
The government has immediately authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.
Dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been immediately approved by the Department of Health and Social Care to treat all UK hospitalised coronavirus patients requiring oxygen, including those on ventilators.
The drug has been proven to reduce the risk of death significantly in coronavirus patients on ventilation by as much as 35 per cent and patients on oxygen by 20 per cent, reducing the total 28-day mortality rate by 17 per cent.
The Oxford University UK RECOVERY trial, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), is the first clinical trial anywhere in the world to show a treatment provides significant impact in reducing patient mortality.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I’m absolutely delighted that today we can announce the world’s first successful clinical trial for a treatment for Covid-19. This astounding breakthrough is testament to the incredible work being done by our scientists behind the scenes. From today the standard treatment for Covid-19 will include dexamethasone, helping save thousands of lives while we deal with this terrible virus.
“Guided by the science, the UK is leading the way in the global fight against coronavirus – with the best clinical trials, the best vaccine development and the best immunology research in the world. I want to thank the brilliant scientists at Oxford University, the thousands of patients who took part in the study, and my own team, led by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, who has done such a brilliant job driving this work.”
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