The Society has responded to the announcement that Gilead Sciences will initiate two phase 3 randomised studies to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of remdesivir in participants with moderate to severe COVID-19.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, the Society's President, said:
“It is great to see these trials will go ahead in the UK. I am delighted that MHRA, the Health Research Authority and other regulators have been able to turn this around and approve the trials in such a short period of time.
Remdesivir is one of a number of promising agents that have been proposed for the treatment of COVID-19. However, it is an investigational agent. As Gilead’s press release highlights, whilst it has demonstrated activity in vitro and in animal models, clinical trials will be crucial in demonstrating whether it is safe and effective for use in patients with COVID-19.
We know our healthcare system is under intense pressure at the moment, but nevertheless, it is crucial that our hospitals and the associated healthcare staff, are allowed to recruit patients to such trials in a timely manner, reducing bureaucracy whilst ensuring Good Clinical Practice standards are upheld.”
**More information about Gilead’s clinical trials of remdesivir can be found here:
https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19