"If Remdesivir's Effectiveness is Proven, Special Importation Will Proceed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The quarantine authorities announced that they will proceed with special importation if the effectiveness of 'Remdesivir,' which is emerging as a treatment for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is proven.

On the 2nd, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "We are fully prepared and proceeding with plans to expedite the special importation procedure for Remdesivir."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use of Remdesivir on the same day. Deputy Director Kwon explained, "The U.S. FDA emergency use authorization is not a formal approval," and that it is limited to use in treating severe patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

Deputy Director Kwon stated, "As quarantine authorities, we will closely cooperate with related authorities and ministries and discuss with experts to organize the clinical trial results of Remdesivir." He added, "Clinical trial results are within the experts' domain. Some experts have expressed doubts about the statistical significance. Nevertheless, we recognize the great significance of the authoritative U.S. FDA approving the emergency use of Remdesivir under the current circumstances."

Meanwhile, Remdesivir is an antiviral drug developed by Gilead Sciences (hereafter Gilead) as a treatment for Ebola. Recently, an initial clinical trial conducted in the United States announced that it showed effectiveness in treating COVID-19.

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