The federal government granted, this Wednesday (27), a temporary reduction, to zero percent, of the import tax rate for baricitinib, the first drug for the treatment of Covid-19 incorporated into the Unified Health System (SUS) .
The measure, published in the Official Gazette (DOU), aims to facilitate the fight against the pandemic in the country.
The drug baricitinib will be made available for the treatment of hospitalized adult patients who require oxygen by mask or nasal catheter. The drug is already registered in Brazil for the treatment of moderate to severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis and atopic dermatitis.
how the medicine works
The inflammatory process is considered one of the causes of the worsening of Covid-19. Although inflammation is a natural mechanism of the body, when exacerbated, it can lead to the worsening of the disease.
The drug baricitinib has the ability to regulate the body’s inflammation process. This happens from a mechanism of inhibition of enzymes called Janus kinase that, among several biological functions, also act in the activation of inflammation in immune system cells.
Indication for critically ill patients
In January, baricitinib was added to the list of drugs recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of Covid-19. According to the WHO, the drug can be used in patients with severe or critical conditions in association with other resources, such as corticosteroids.
From the control of inflammation, it is possible to reverse the worsening of the disease and reduce the need for artificial ventilation. According to the WHO, the use of the drug did not lead to an increase in adverse effects.
The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the indication of baricitinib in Brazil for the treatment of hospitalized patients with Covid-19 on September 17, 2021.
According to Anvisa, the use is indicated for hospitalized adult patients who need oxygen by mask or nasal catheter, or who need high oxygen flow or non-invasive ventilation.
Source: CNN Brasil
