Efficacy and safety of remdesivir in COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Review (4 studies; n=7324) found no mortality benefit for remdesivir vs control (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.79-1.07; p=0.30, moderate quality), but higher rates of clinical improvement (1.52; 1.24-1.87, p<0.0001) and faster time to clinical improvement (HR 1.28; 1.12-1.46, p=0.0002).
Source:
BMJ Open
SPS commentary:
An Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy (last updated 14 June 2021) recommends that remdesivir be available as a treatment option through routine commissioning for hospitalised patients (adults and adolescents 12 years and older with body weight at least 40 kg) with COVID-19 in accordance with the criteria set out in the document.
The NICE rapid guideline on managing Covid-19 includes recommendations on remdesivir and discusses the available data considered – these were the same four studies covered in this systematic review. Although the reduction in death at day 28 in hospitalised people who require no or low-flow oxygen compared to standard care was not statistically significant, benefit was noted versus placebo for reducing supportive measures and reducing time to recovery in patients with mild, moderate or severe COVID-19 disease who are on supplemental oxygen treatment.