The UAE has become the first country in the world to receive anti-covid medicines. The country’s capital Abu Dhabi has become the first city in the world to procure the consignment of Sotrovimab, the antiviral drug signed off for use in cases of covid-19 infection. The medicine is now available for certain categories of Covid-19 patients in the UAE following a milestone deal between the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Rafed, and global innovative biopharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Here’s everything you must know about it.
Sotrovimab Will Be Administered Through IV And Will Be Used For Everyone Above The Age Of 12
Sotrovimab is going to be a monoclonal antibody treatment, which is going to be administered by intravenous (IV) drip. It can be used to treat adults and children above the age of 12 who meet the criteria and are at risk of progressing severe Covid-19 infection.
Led by @DoHSocial, in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline and Rafed, and following approval by @mohapuae, AbuDhabi is the first place globally to receive Sotrovimab, a new anti-Covid-19 medication shown to prevent severe illness and death in 85 per cent of cases treated early. pic.twitter.com/xGhUTXE2Bm
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 16, 2021
The First Consignment Of The Drug Arrived Yesterday In Abu Dhabi
With the arrival of the first shipment yesterday in Abu Dhabi airport, Abu Dhabi becomes the first city globally to receive this drug. And as per the studies, it has been stated that this drug can prevent hospitalisation and death in 85% of early selected treatment cases and is effective on all known variations to date.
The National Scientific Committee in the nation’s health ministry and Abu Dhabi Department of Health have worked on the medication protocols that will guide doctors in determining risk patients and assuring that they have access to Sotrovimab to the said eligibility criteria.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Rafed will facilitate the procurement, storage and distribution of Sotrovimab via the Rafed Distribution Center, a specialised cold-storage facility, which is part of the Hope Consortium, a statement said.