Gilead remdesivir suspended by WHO from prequalification list of COVID-19 drugs
New Delhi: The World Health Organization said on Friday it has suspended Gilead's remdesivir from its so-called prequalification list, an official list of medicines used as a benchmark for procurement by developing countries, after issuing guidance against its use in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
"Yes we have suspended it from the PQ (prequalification list)," Tarik Jasarevic said in an emailed response to Reuters. "The suspension is a signal to countries that WHO, in compliance with the treatment guidelines, does not recommend countries procure the drug for COVID."
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He added that the WHO was not aware that any international procurers were providing the drug to low- and middle-income countries.
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