Gilead questions WHO study that found remdesivir has little effect on Covid-19 deaths
- The UN health agency said its ‘Solidarity’ trial conducted in 11,266 patients had concluded that remdesivir did little to help patients survive
- The US company said the the findings were premature and that other studies had validated the drug’s benefits
The American company said the data appeared inconsistent, the findings were premature and that other studies had validated the drug’s benefits.
In a blow to one of the few drugs being used to treat people with Covid-19, the WHO said on Thursday its “Solidarity” trial had concluded that remdesivir appeared to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or length of hospital stays among patients with the respiratory disease.
The WHO trial was conducted in 11,266 adult patients in more than 30 countries. The evidence was conclusive, the UN health agency said.
“It’s a reliable result, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise, because they’ll try to,” Richard Peto, an independent statistician hired by the WHO to evaluate its Solidarity trial, told reporters, adding that any benefit of remdesivir may be due to chance.
