Ohio Receives Shipment Of Experimental COVID-19 Drug

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has received a shipment of remdesivir, a drug being studied as a treatment for the new coronavirus. The medication will be distributed across Ohio with the help of the Ohio Hospital Association.

“This is not a cure, but early signs indicate that it can help in the treatment of COVID-19,” said Health Director Dr. Amy Acton. “Ohio’s allocation is not enough to treat all patients, so we are working with medical experts to ensure distribution is based on clinical best practices.”

An Emergency Use Authorization for remdesivir was issued by the FDA this year. The medication is being studied in COVID-19-related clinical trials and some medical officials believe remdesivir can shorten the duration of the disease from 15 to 11 days.

Ohio received a shipment of 20 cases of remdesivir, enough for 100 patients, from the federal government on Tuesday. The clinical leaders of Ohio's pandemic response will determine how to distribute the medication around the state. The percentage of mechanically ventilated patients in each region was the central crux of the decision, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

“Ohio hospitals are committed to providing care and services to ensure the health and safety of our communities,” said Mike Abrams, president and CEO, Ohio Hospital Association. “We appreciate the efforts of our policymakers and state leaders to secure resources and treatment to help in the delivery of care for patients impacted by COVID-19.”

Remdesivir is given intravenously and in two courses depending on the severity of the disease. Patients can receive a five-day course or a 10-day course.

Individual hospitals will determine who receives the medication and in what course. When the number of patients who need remdesivir exceeds the supply of medication, hospital officials will have to use internal guidance for who receives the scarce resources.

The FDA has not yet approved the use of remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19. The drug is still in its experimental phase.

"The EUA and use of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 is only due to the nature of the pandemic, the impact it has had on the population, and the fact that there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the emergency use of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19," the Ohio Department of Health said in a statement.