Authorities: "33 Severe Patients First Administered Remdesivir... No Serious Side Effects Reported" (Update)

Remdesivir, a treatment for COVID-19 / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Among the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea, about 30 severe and critical patients will be given priority treatment with the COVID-19 therapeutic drug 'Remdesivir.'

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated at a regular briefing held on the 1st at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "There are currently about 33 severe patients, and they will be the first recipients of the treatment," adding, "The decision to administer the drug will be made by the attending physician."

She continued, "Remdesivir has been shown through several clinical trials to shorten the treatment period and, although the statistical significance was unclear, it is expected to reduce the mortality rate," explaining, "For now, we have selected early-stage patients who have been ill for just under ten days and require oxygen therapy as the treatment target."

Currently, there are 20 patients in the 'critical' stage who are on mechanical ventilation or using the artificial heart-lung machine 'ECMO,' and 13 patients in the 'severe' stage who are receiving oxygen therapy or have a fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius.

The health authorities plan to administer Remdesivir to these patients. A monitoring system has also been established to observe any adverse reactions following the treatment.

Regarding this, Kwak Jin, head of the patient management team at the CDCH, explained, "So far, no side effects related to Remdesivir administration have been reported," adding, "We will monitor for any side effects or adverse reactions during actual use."

Previously, Remdesivir, developed by the American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences as an Ebola treatment, has been reported to be effective for COVID-19 patients as well. The government imported Remdesivir into the country last month through a special import procedure and began supplying it from the 1st.

The health authorities, in consultation with Gilead Sciences Korea, the importer of Remdesivir, plan to secure a supply of free-of-charge quantities until this month and proceed with purchasing through price negotiations starting in August.