The Case of Repurposing Antivirals for COVID-19

The peer-review journal Annals of Internal Medicines recently published an original article: Drug Repurposing and Observational Studies: The Case of Antivirals for the Treatment of COVID-19.

On March 28, 2023, Miguel A. Hernán, MD, and Julia del Amo, MD, reviewed the decision-making process for three antivirals for repurposing to treat COVID-19 patients: remdesivir, molnupiravir, and tenofovir.

Remdesivir and molnupiravir were the only two approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Both were studied in randomized clinical trials.

Tenofovir, with observational evidence suggesting favorable COVID-19 outcomes, was not adequately studied in trials and never received FDA emergency use approval.

Using these case studies, we make proposals to help better use the available observational evidence during the following public health emergency, wrote these doctors.

The complete, free article is posted at this link.

Previously, the U.S. CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity webinar on January 24, 2023, presented 'Updates to COVID-19 Testing and Treatment for the Current SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

As of March 31, 2023, various antivirals have been authorized by different countries.

Updated April 26, 2023 - Grammar correction and inserted disclosure link.