GENEVA — Five antiviral drugs are now in late-stage testing for COVID-19, the World Health Organization said Friday, in a bid to secure effective treatments for the disease. The WHO’s Solidarity Therapeutics Trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of four repurposed drugs, including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and ritonavir, as well as one new drug, the interferon beta-1a. The trial is being conducted in over 30 countries around the world, with over 400 hospitals and clinics participating. Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral, has shown promise in early studies for treating COVID-19, but larger studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness. Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug, has also been touted as a potential treatment for COVID-19, but its efficacy is still being debated. Lopinavir and ritonavir are two HIV drugs that are being tested together for the treatment of COVID-19. Interferon beta-1a is a protein that is produced by the body in response to viral infections. It is being tested as a treatment for COVID-19 because it has been shown to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The WHO said that the Solidarity Therapeutics Trial is expected to provide robust evidence on the safety and efficacy of these drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. The results of the trial are expected to be available later this year. In addition to the Solidarity Therapeutics Trial, the WHO is also supporting other clinical trials of potential COVID-19 treatments. The organization is also working with manufacturers to ensure that any effective treatments are scaled up and made available to all who need them. .
WHO: 5 antiviral drugs now in late-stage testing for COVID-19
