Press Briefing on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19 :

• Around 480 patients will get enrolled in the 8-week study on efficacy of HCQ. We have launched another study on side-effects of HCQ on health care workers, using data of some health care workers who had started taking HCQ.
• AIIMS is conducting studies on assessing both prophylactic and therapeutic impact of HCQ on COVID2019 – i.e. the ability of the drug for both prevention and healing.
• Studies show that in 68% of COVID2019 patients, use of remdesivir reduces oxygen demand. However, while the manufacturer @GileadSciences says that it is likely to be beneficial, data on the interim analysis being done by them is not yet available.
• If we come to know in coming weeks that remdesivir is beneficial in treating COVID2019, it will go into patent pooling or if it becomes available, we can start doing its trial. Besides,@WHO Solidarity Trial, in which India too is participating, has an arm on remdesivir.

Source : PIB