The drug Remdesivir has hit the headlines of countless newspapers in recent weeks after being developed by pharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences. The clinical tests were “preliminary, but very promising” according to Dr Robert Grossberg (study sub-investigator) as the drug showed antiviral activity with the potential to shorten recovery time for those suffering from Covid-19. Recent news has revealed the US Health Department has arranged to buy most, if not all, of the Remdesivir available for the next couple of months, essentially limiting access for the UK and Europe, despite the international participation in the drug trials. Dr Andrew Hill (Liverpool University) further pointed out that Gilead’s licensing on the drug prevents low and middle-income countries from selling generic versions to Europe as well. Being one of only two drugs (the other dexamethasone) currently proving most beneficial, this poses a problem. Granted Gilead is a US company, yet in the eyes of many, the pharmaceutical industry is seen as corrupt, revolving around profits and other questionable motives, and critics argue that Remdesivir is an example of how medicine allocation is usually dependent on the highest bidders/who can afford to buy. It is not all bad news, however, as Gilead has started to put in place new licensing agreements in an attempt to see production of the drug in developing nations and the UK Department of Health have stated they currently have sufficient supplies. Despite this, this case could be seen as a very small insight into a corrupt pharmaceutical industry. Especially in the midst of a pandemic, international collaboration and co-operation is needed now more than ever, and pharmaceutical companies profiteering from suffering is not.
Written by Emily Northover
Artwork by Zara Masood
Comments