Remdesivir available from today for Covid-19 treatment

Gilead Sciences' remdesivir lined up at Seoul National University Hospital. [YONHAP]

Remdesivir, the antiviral drug from Gilead Sciences that may be effective in the treatment of Covid-19, will be available to Korean hospitals starting today, said the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

According to the KCDC, during the month of July, remdesivir will be offered free of charge under an agreement signed with Gilead Sciences Korea on Monday. From August, drugs will have to be purchased at a price negotiated by the government and the Korean importer for Foster City, California-based Gilead Sciences.

Only severely ill patients, such as those on oxygen therapy, will be eligible to receive the drug. Local hospitals that treat such patients will have to submit requests for remdesivir to the National Medical Center.

In early June, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved the emergency import of remdesivir at the request of the KCDC. Korea's Pharmaceutical Affairs Act allows for fast-tracked importation of medicines in the eventof a national emergency.

BY SONG KYOUNG-SON [song.kyoungson@joongang.co.kr]