By Tony O’Riley-
The UK is to roll-out a “first -of-its-kind” Covid treatment after approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Ronapreve, a monoclonal antibody treatment, is administered either by injection or infusion and acts to stop coronavirus from gaining access to the cells of the respiratory system.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the drug was the first designed specifically for treating Covid. “We are now working at pace with the NHS and expert clinicians to ensure this treatment can be rolled out to NHS patients as soon as possible.”
The UK is considered a world leader in identifying and rolling out life-saving treatments for Covid-19, once they have been proven safe and effective in our government-backed clinical trials.
“This is fantastic news from the independent medicines regulator and means the UK has approved its first therapeutic designed specifically for Covid-19.
“This treatment will be a significant addition to our armoury to tackle Covid-19 – in addition to our world-renowned vaccination programme and life-saving therapeutics dexamethasone and tocilizumab,” Javid added.
It comes as just two per cent of companies being investigated by the competition watchdog over the cost of PCR tests for travel have been removed from the government’s website.
When modelling the level of Covid-19 infections among different age ranges in England, the ONS said rates have increased for those aged 35 to 49 but have decreased for those in school years seven to 11, for 25 to 34-year-olds and for people aged 70 and over.
Around one in 35 people from school year 12 to age 24 are estimated to have had Covid-19 in the week to August 14: the highest positivity rate for any age group.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the clinical trial data they had assessed has shown Ronapreve may be used to prevent infection, treat symptoms of acute Covid-19 infection and can reduce the likelihood of being admitted to hospital due to the virus.
Trials took place before widespread vaccination , prior to the emergence of virus variants. It is the first monoclonal antibody combination product approved for use in the prevention and treatment of acute infection from the virus for the UK.
HRA interim chief quality and access officer Dr Samantha Atkinson said: “We are pleased to announce the approval of another therapeutic treatment that can be used to help save lives and protect against Covid-19.
“Ronapreve is the first of its kind for the treatment of Covid-19 and, after a meticulous assessment of the data by our expert scientists and clinicians, we are satisfied that this treatment is safe and effective.
“With no compromises on quality, safety and efficacy, the public can trust that the MHRA have conducted a robust and thorough assessment of all the available data.”
“We are now working at pace with the NHS and expert clinicians to ensure this treatment can be rolled out to NHS patients as soon as possible.”