The National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies in the Unified Health System (Conitec), an agency of the Ministry of Health, recommended the inclusion of the first drug to treat Covid-19 in the SUS.
In this Thursday’s edition (31) of the Medical Correspondentfrom Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explained that the drug has already been approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) in September 2021, and that it is already used for the treatment of arthritis.
“We know that there is a need to manage an inflammatory process, this drug has an important role in modulating it. What was observed is that it has an impact on the treatment against Covid”, said Gomes.
Olumiant (baricitinib), by pharmaceutical Eli Lilly, is indicated for the treatment of Covid-19 in hospitalized adult patients who require oxygen by mask or nasal catheter, or who require high flow of oxygen or non-invasive ventilation.
According to the neurosurgeon, hospital use ends up being important. “The big news here is that the SUS recognizes the drug and makes it available for the treatment of Covid patients. There is a whole process of care protocol and budget”, explained the doctor.
Approval was based on two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving approximately 2,500 patients worldwide. The COV-BARRIER study, which evaluated Olumiant 4mg compared to placebo, demonstrated a potential 38% reduction in mortality at 28 days of treatment.
Gomes also spoke about the approval of the second oral drug against Covid. “The drug is recommended for adults without supplemental oxygen and at risk of severe Covid,” he explained.
The temporary authorization for emergency use, on an experimental basis, of the drug Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir) for the treatment of Covid-19 took place after a decision by the Agency’s Collegiate Board.
The neurosurgeon, however, stressed that the drugs are reinforcements against Covid, not preventive.
“The vaccine is something universal that helps everyone develop antibodies and fight the virus. The use of these [dois] medicines does not replace the universal idea of vaccination”, explains Gomes.
Source: CNN Brasil
