Scientists and doctors from Ukraine, the United States and Italy exchanged the results of the latest scientific research in the fight against coronavirus and confirmed the effectiveness of antiviral drugs in the fight against COVID-19.
“The problem of combating the pandemic is relevant both for Ukraine and for the whole world. In our country, the number of COVID-19 cases is growing daily. And although the immunization of the population is quite active, none of the vaccines guarantees that a person will not get sick. The issue of prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in the early stages is now extremely relevant,” the scientists said, following the results of the scientific and practical conference entitled “New Treatment Strategies for COVID-19,” organized by the pharmaceutical company Farmak (Kyiv).
At the conference, scientists discussed the development of new and effective existing medicines that help treat patients with COVID-19. In particular, they paid special attention to the results of studies of antiviral drugs that demonstrated a therapeutic effect, shared their experience of partnership in the development of a direct-acting antiviral drug, talked about the prospects for the development of other antiviral drugs.
“How do antiviral drugs work? The virus is much smaller than bacteria, but this does not prevent it from destroying cells. People often mistakenly believe that antibiotics can neutralize the virus, but this is not the case. It is important to understand that antibiotics are effective only against certain types of bacteria. Antiviral agents are used to quickly and effectively deal with the virus. At the beginning of the disease, they reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of the disease. It should also be understood that such drugs prevent it from multiplying,” the scientists said.
Italian scientist, doctor of the Ronzoni Institute for Chemical and Biochemical Research Stefano Elli, in particular, said that antiviral drugs have great potential in the fight against a pandemic. He presented a study showing the effect of Enisamium on SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Enisamium is better known as the active ingredient of Farmak pharmaceutical company.
“According to the results of preclinical and clinical studies, Enisamium has confirmed its effectiveness. Prescribing the drug to patients with moderate severity of COVID-19 made it possible to alleviate the course of the disease in the subjects, prevent the deterioration of its clinical condition, avoid deaths and shorten the length of hospital stay,” Elli said.
According to the representative of the state enterprise State Expert Center Pavlo Babich, the positive experience of using this drug is confirmed by the results of a study on its use among patients with moderate COVID-19.
“Studies have shown that an antiviral drug successfully used in the treatment of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in 11 countries of the world and, as it was recently established, by the joint efforts of scientists from Ukraine, Germany, the U.K., is also clinically effective in moderate COVID-19. Indeed, the drug has a wide spectrum of antiviral action against RNA viruses that cause acute respiratory diseases by inhibiting the RNA polymerase enzyme of the virus, under the influence of which it replicates,” he said.
“According to the results of research by scientists from the United States, Italy and Ukraine, it can be summarized that antiviral drugs are a powerful weapon in overcoming and preventing the negative consequences of COVID-19,” the scientists said.
India has donated 50,000 capsules of the OMVIR antiviral drug, which is used to treat patients with COVID-19, as humanitarian aid to Ukraine, the Ministry of Health reports.
According to the report, these medications will be enough to treat about 5,000 patients.
“Ukraine is very grateful for the humanitarian aid of 50,000 capsules of the OMVIR preparation. This drug is included in the domestic treatment protocol and our hospitals, identified as supporting in the fight against COVID-19, are very interested in receiving it. This lot is enough to treat about 5,000 patients,” Ihor Ivaschenko, the Deputy Minister of Health for European Integration, said.
Ambassador of India to Ukraine Partha Satpathy noted that, if necessary, there may be additional deliveries of this drug.
Indian pharmaceutical companies are ready to provide Ukrainians with antiviral drugs, the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IPMA) has said.
“The leading Indian pharmaceutical companies represented by IPMA in Ukraine are ready to assist Ukraine in providing it with high-quality and effective medicines, including antiviral drugs, which have recently been used in the fight against the coronavirus disease COVID-19 in the world,” the association said.
IPMA also reported that Indian doctors have noted some success in treating COVID-19 with drugs such as LPV/r, Oseltamivir, Ribavirin and Chloroquine.
“At the same time, it is probably still necessary to observe patients in order to reach a final conclusion,” the IPMA said.
At the same time, the association said that Indian family companies, which are one of the world leaders in the production of drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, will be ready for a possible increase in supplies to Ukraine if the country makes such a decision.
“So far, such negotiations are not conducted, but we are ready for them,” the IPMA said.
At the same time, the association said that Indian pharmaceutical companies have sufficient capacity to meet increasing demand.
“Like any state, in connection with the current situation in the world – the COVID-19 pandemic, India should protect its citizens first of all. But for now, our manufacturers have enough capacities to provide other countries [with drugs] as well,” the IPMA said.
The association said that currently, due to the lack of air traffic, there are some difficulties with the delivery of goods from India, including drugs, while there are no delays in customs and interruptions in logistics.
The range of orders that come from pharmacies and medical institutions as a whole has not changed, but, in addition to ordinary orders, there is a demand for masks and disinfectants.
