The United States has virtually procured all the stocks for the next three months of remdesivir — one of the two drugs proven to be the most effective against the deadly coronavirus — from Gilead Sciences through September which has alarmed the experts about the wider implications of the deal on the rest of the world. “President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorized therapeutic for COVID-19,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar in a press release. “To the extent possible, we want to ensure 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 therapeutics for COVID-19 and secure access to these options for the American people.” Known as an effective drug against the contagious coronavirus, remdesivir is the first medicine approved by the licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19. The initial 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials around the world, have been consumed, however, the Trump administration has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September. Nothing for Europe According to the news report published in the British publication The Guardian, the Trump administration has already shown that it is prepared to outbid and outmaneuver all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the US by calling the bid. “They’ve got access to most of the drug supply [of remdesivir], so there’s nothing for Europe,” said Dr Andrew Hill, a senior visiting research fellow at Liverpool University. The drug, which was invented for Ebola but failed to work, is under patent to Gilead, which means no other company in wealthy countries can make it. The cost is around $3,200 per treatment of six doses, according to the US government statement. The announcement of the deal also unveiled that the pandemic in the US is spiralling out of control. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading public health expert and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Senate the US was sliding backwards, The Guardian reported. Striking such a deal in testing times of pandemic is not just a reaction to the increasing spread and death toll. The US has taken an “America First” attitude throughout the global pandemic, the report added. Also read: Gilead sets coronavirus drug candidate remdesivir at $2,340 per patient Canada concerned In this regard, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned there could be unintended adverse consequences if the Trump-led regime continued to outbid its allies. “We know it is in both of our interests to work collaboratively and cooperatively to keep our citizens safe,” he said. The Trump administration has also invoked the Defence Production Act to block some medical goods made in the US from being sent abroad.
#AhmedShameel 1 July 2020 #COVID19
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