WHO to test 3 new drugs to treat COVID-19

WHO will test three new drugs as potential treatments for people with severe Covid-19 as it expands its global trial to 52 countries.

The three treatments Atesunate, Imatinib, and infliximab were selected by an independent expert panel for their potential in reducing the risk of death in hospitalized patients.

Artesunate is currently used for severe malaria, Imatinib for certain cancers, and infliximab for diseases for the immune system.

WHO completed the first phase of the solidarity trials Last year working with countries worldwide to finding an effective treatment for coronavirus and assess their effect on mortality.

The new phase of the trial involves 600 hospitals in 52 countries, 16 more than the initial phase, and thousands of patients.