On Thursday October 22, 2020 the US FDA approved Gilead Sciences Inc’s anti-viral medicine remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients including children above the age of 12 and adults, who weigh at least 40 kgs. Although remdesivir had been used as an emergency treatment for the general population including President Trump, the anti-viral drug has now gained FDA approval with a few riders about its use.

Remdesivir cannot be used by the general population. It should be used for patients who are admitted in hospital or health care treatment for COVID-19. Velkury is the brand name of remdesivir. Studies have shown that remdesivir is ineffective as a cure for the viral infection but shortens recovery rate by five days when compared with standard treatments. It does so by arresting the multiplication of the virus inside the body once it’s administered.

“The FDA is committed to expediting the development and availability of COVID-19 treatments during this unprecedented public health emergency, “ said FDA Commissioner Stephen M Hahn MD. The FDA is an agency within   the US Department of Health and Human Services. It protects the public healthy and safety of its citizens.
Source: www.fda.gov