China Reports Successive Effects of New Coronavirus Treatment Drugs

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] As the search for treatments for the novel coronavirus infection is underway in China, reports are emerging that some drugs are showing effectiveness.

On the 5th, according to China's state-run Global Times, Li Lanzhuan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a senior expert of the National Health Commission, revealed the latest achievements in treating the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei Province, the outbreak site, stating that two antiviral drugs, "Arbidol" and "Darunavir," demonstrated effective virus suppression.

He explained, "Arbidol is used for treating influenza, and Darunavir is used as a treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)," adding, "Both drugs are recommended to be included in the national treatment plan for the novel coronavirus in Chinese hospitals."

Sun Yanlong, deputy director of the Biological Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, who is also conducting research and development on treatments and vaccines for the novel coronavirus, stated that progress is being made in new drug development and epidemic control.

He said, "The Ebola treatment Remdesivir, malaria treatment Chloroquine, and influenza treatment Favipiravir have been verified for effectiveness, and animal experiments and clinical trials on humans are underway," adding, "Hospitals capable of conducting clinical trials have already been designated."

The Wuhan Institute of Virology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Military Medical Research Institute of the Academy of Military Sciences, and the Biosafety Mega-Science Research Center have confirmed that Remdesivir and Chloroquine are effective in treating the novel coronavirus and have already notified provincial and municipal governments across China. However, Remdesivir is not yet sold in the Chinese market, and there are intellectual property issues, making its future applicability uncertain.