WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, during a virtual briefing from Geneva, said the next challenge is to increase production “and rapidly and equitably distribute dexamethasone worldwide, focusing on where it is needed most.”
He, however, cautioned that there is no evidence that dexamethasone works for patients who are only mildly affected, or as a preventative measure. “Fortunately, this is an inexpensive medicine and there are many dexamethasone manufacturers worldwide, who we are confident can accelerate production,” he said.The drug received a nod from scientists and the international body after a UK-Government funded study showed that the low-cost steroid dexamethasone can save the life of one in eight severely ill patients on ventilators being treated for COVID-19 and of one in 25 patients who are receiving supplemental oxygen.
He said there is a need for supplies to remain available to treat other diseases for which it is needed. He said it is also important to check that suppliers can guarantee quality, as there is a high risk of substandard or falsified products entering the market.In the briefing, the WHO chief, however, noted that the number of new infections was rising sharply even as countries continue to lessen restrictions.
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