The UK recently said it has two new “life-saving” COVID-19 treatments that dramatically reduce the risk of death.
What is happening?
The UK said it has two new treatments – tocilizumab and sarilumab – that reduced the risk of death from COVID-19 by 24% in people taking the drug.
- Medicines are often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Those who did the treatment spent 10 days less in the hospital than those who did not, according to the study.
Matt Hancock, the country’s health secretary, said in the statement that the discovery of the new treatments was a “historic milestone” that will save “hundreds of lives”.
Key quote:
- “The data shows that tocilizumab, and probably sarilumab, accelerates and increases the chances of recovery in intensive care, which is crucial to help relieve pressure on intensive care and hospitals and save lives,” said Professor Jonathan Van -Tam, UK’s deputy chief medical officer, in a statement.
Next steps:
The Department of Health and Social Welfare said it will work closely with pharmaceutical company Roche, which makes tocilizumab, to help develop the vaccine, reports Sky News.