Very good news for patients / Closely monitor effects and side effects in future

The European Medicines Agency is, at short notice, planning the conditional marketing authorisation for the antiviral medicine Remdesivir in order to treat Covid-19. This was announced by the Director of the European Medicines Agency, Guido Rasi, answering a question of the spokesperson for health of biggest political group in the Europe Parliament (EPP - Christian Democrats) Peter Liese, at a hearing in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment and Health. Conditional marketing authorisation means that, according to the experts' assessment, the medicine is likely to be effective and shows little side effects. However, it is still necessary to closely monitor the ongoing treatment.

"I think that the conditional marketing authorization for Remdesivir is good and correct. This is good news for many patients who are seriously infected by Covid-19 and fear for their lives. The research so far has apparently shown that Remdesivir can reduce the course of the disease, perhaps even lower the death rate, and that the side effects are tolerable. However, we must continue to monitor closely and analyse the data continuously. It is important that the medicine is now available in sufficient quantities. The company has assured me personally that Remdesivir will be available to European patients once the conditional marketing authorisation has been granted. I very much appreciate that this can be done in the next few days," said Liese.