81 COVID-19 patients in PH participate in WHO Solidarity Trial

Updated May 14, 2020, 3:02 PM

According to the Department of Health (DOH), there are currently 81 COVID-19 patients in the country who have participated in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Solidarity Trial, which aims to discover effective treatment for the dreaded illness.

Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the 81 patients were from 24 participating hospitals.

“As of May 10, we have 81 patients enrolled in 24 sites,” said Vergeire in a press briefing.

The DOH previously reported that a total of 500 slots had been allocated for the country’s COVID-19 patients to join the said international clinical trial.

The WHO’s clinical trial involves four possible therapies in treating COVID-19. These are investigational antiviral Remdesivir, antimalarial drug Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine, antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV Lopinavir with Ritonavir, and Lopinavir with Ritonavir plus Interferon beta-1a.

“The objective of this is to really prove whether the anecdotal report as to their effectiveness and efficacy can be validated via this Solidarity Trial. So, this can help us manage more effectively the COVID-19 cases, especially the severe and critical [cases],” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in a separate press briefing.

Over 100 countries have joined the Solidarity Trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the four drugs and drug combinations mentioned.

SOURCE: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/14/81-covid-19-patients-in-ph-participate-in-who-solidarity-trial/