"Proven Effective Against COVID-19"... How to Purchase 'Asthma Treatment'

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Interest in an inhaler used to treat asthma has increased following research results showing that it demonstrated the highest efficacy among existing drugs in treating the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, experts explain that clinical trials must be conducted to verify potential side effects from using this drug before it can be utilized as a COVID-19 treatment. There are calls for prompt action from quarantine authorities.

Asthma Treatment Drug Effective Against COVID-19

On the 22nd, Seoul City and the police conducted on-site supervision of churches that insisted on holding weekend services to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Residents are carrying out disinfection work at Yonsei Central Church in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The Korea Pasteur Institute stated in an email Q&A with Asia Economy on the 24th, "The inhaled asthma treatment 'Alvesco,' which contains the active ingredient ciclesonide and shows excellent efficacy against COVID-19, is a prescription drug that can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription."

This means it is not a drug that can be bought at pharmacies unless the person is an asthma patient. This drug is a prescription medication for asthma patients aged 12 and older, developed by a Swiss pharmaceutical company and imported and sold domestically.

It has never been used as a COVID-19 treatment drug in Korea. The institute stated, "As far as we know, there have been no cases in Korea where this drug has been prescribed or used to treat COVID-19 patients."

Treatment Cases Already Reported in Japan

On the 19th, when the government expanded the special entry procedures to all incoming travelers worldwide to prevent the influx of COVID-19, passengers arriving on a passenger flight from Frankfurt, Germany, at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport underwent the special entry procedures. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The institute explained that this study confirmed antiviral activity at the cellular level, and additional clinical trials are necessary for it to be used as an actual treatment.

The institute announced the results of cell experiments (drug repurposing) conducted on over 3,000 drugs, including 1,500 FDA-approved drugs in the U.S., the previous day. The institute reported that ciclesonide showed the highest efficacy compared to other drugs. When compared to remdesivir, Kaletra, and chloroquine, which are currently undergoing clinical trials domestically and internationally, ciclesonide demonstrated equal or superior antiviral activity in cell experiments. Drug repurposing is the process of finding drugs that are already marketed or in development that could potentially treat COVID-19 patients.

Unlike Korea, Japan has already begun clinical trials to use this drug as a COVID-19 treatment. The Japanese Society of Infectious Diseases, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, has secured a sufficient quantity of Alvesco and is recruiting participants for observational studies. The institute stated, "This society has reported cases where three cruise ship passengers showing COVID-19 symptoms were administered the drug and their symptoms improved."

Anthelmintic Drug Also Effective Against COVID-19

On the 18th, a notice about delays and suspension of international express (EMS) mail delivery was posted at Gwanghwamun Post Office in Seoul. Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, international flights have been canceled, resulting in the suspension of EMS mail acceptance to over 40 countries. Even for countries where acceptance is possible, delivery times are delayed as flights are reduced and mail volume increases. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Another drug that attracted attention in this study besides ciclesonide was niclosamide, an ingredient found in anthelmintic drugs. Although this drug showed relatively high efficacy in treating COVID-19, its drawback was poor absorption into the body. Since it is an anthelmintic component that kills intestinal parasites, it is not absorbed into the body's cells, resulting in low therapeutic effect. This drug is currently known not to be sold domestically.

Ryu Wang-sik, director of the Korea Pasteur Institute, said, "The discovered drugs showed antiviral activity in cells, and we hope that confirming their efficacy in clinical settings will help in treating COVID-19." He added, "Going forward, the Korea Pasteur Institute plans to continue drug repurposing research to discover more effective drugs for COVID-19 treatment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.