These are the active ingredient baricitinib, which was developed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody developed specifically for Covid-19 patients.
The new recommendation is based on seven studies with more than 4000 patients. The WHO experts reported this in the specialist magazine “The BMJ”.
Seriously ill Covid 19 patients would have better chances of survival with baricitinib and the need for artificial ventilation would be reduced, according to the new policy. No side effects were observed. The drug is to be administered in combination with corticosteroids.
Patients with less severe disease but at high risk of hospitalization may benefit from the use of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab, writes the WHO. The product with the brand name Xevudy is also approved in the EU. The WHO has already advocated the use of another antibody cocktail, casirivimab/imdevimab.
Swiss treaties
The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG ) has signed contracts for the reservation of drugs against Covid-19 with the companies GlaxoSmithKline and Roche Pharma, as announced in December. Sotrovimab and the combination Casirivima/Imdevimab are affected.
According to the BAG, Sotrovimab and Casirivimab/Imdevimab have been available in Switzerland since September 30 and May 13, 2021 respectively, on the recommendation of the task force.
Sotrovimab is not yet approved, but can be used to treat Covid-19 patients during the ongoing approval process due to the Covid-19 Ordinance 3 and a submitted approval application. Casirivimab/Imdevimab received approval in December.
However, the WHO advises against the use of two other drugs, ruxolitinib and tofacitinib. Small studies have so far shown no benefit, and serious side effects could potentially develop with tofacitinib.
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