Reuters exclusively reports WHO-led COVID drug scheme doubles down on antibodies, steroids and shuns remdesivir

Reuters exclusively reported that a World Health Organization-led (WHO) scheme to supply COVID-19 drugs to poor countries is betting on experimental monoclonal antibody treatments and steroids but shunning Gilead’s remdesivir therapy. According to an Oct. 30 WHO draft document seen by Reuters, priorities are to secure monoclonal antibodies in a tight market and to boost distribution of cheap steroid dexamethasone. The paper, which for the first time outlines how the scheme would spend donors’ money, does not cite remdesivir among priority drugs – a significant omission as the antiviral is the only other medication alongside dexamethasone approved across the world for treating COVID-19.