WHO Calls For Rapid Production Of Dexamethasone For Coronavirus Patients

WHO welcomed the positive results of dexamethasone in treating the novel Coronavirus, while warning that the drug should not be used on mild cases or for prevention purposes.

Dexamethasone, usually given orally in a tablet form or even infect to the patients, was first discovered in 1957. (File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: In what could be considered as a big relief for the world that is reeling under the deadly Coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organisation on Monday called for a rapid increase of production of steroid dexamethasone, after clinical trails in UK found that the drug had life-saving potential for critically-ill Covid-19 patients. After rounds of research and assurance by health researchers and authorities, United Kingdom, last week announced that it will inject Coronavirus patients with 'dexamethasone' steroid, a cheap anti-inflammatory drug for arthritis and other ailments that cuts risk of death in Covid-19 patients who are on ventilators by one third. "WHO emphasizes that dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical COVID-19 under close clinical supervision. No evidence this drug works for patients with mild disease or as a preventive measure, and it could cause harm: Director-General of WHO Tedros Adhanom said. Last week, WHO welcomed the positive results of dexamethasone in treating the novel Coronavirus, while warning that the drug should not be used on mild cases or for prevention purposes.

"WHO emphasizes that #dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical #COVID19, under close clinical supervision. There is no evidence this drug works for patients with mild disease or as a preventive measure, and it could cause harm"-@DrTedros

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 22, 2020

During a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated the initial results from the recovery trial in the UK, which shows that dexamethasone, a common steroid, has had a beneficial effect on patients severely ill with COVID-19. As per the preliminary findings received by WHO, for patients on ventilators, the treatment was shown to reduce mortality by about one third, and for patients requiring only oxygen, mortality was cut by about one fifth. "This is very welcome news for those patients with severe illness," said Tedros, adding: "However, dexamethasone was shown to not have a beneficial effect for those with milder disease, who did not need respiratory support." Dexamethasone, usually given orally in a tablet form or even infect to the patients, was first discovered in 1957. It is commonly prescribed to patients with allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis and some types of cancer. AUSA TODAY report earlier claimed that the drug reduced deaths by 35 per cent in patients who needed treatment with breathing machines and by 20% in those who only needed supplemental oxygen. It did not appear to help less ill patients.