Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

EU regulator advises AstraZeneca's COVID drug be cleared

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Mar, 2022 12:41 PM
  • EU regulator advises AstraZeneca's COVID drug be cleared

LONDON (AP) — The European Union's drug regulator said Thursday it was recommending that an antibody medication developed by AstraZeneca be authorized to help some vulnerable people avoid getting sick with the coronavirus.

The European Medicines Agency said in a statement that it was advising the use of the new drug, sold as Evusheld, in people age 12 and over before they were exposed to COVID-19, to prevent future infections.

It is now up to the EU's executive arm, the European Commission, to officially authorize the drug.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the medication in December for people with serious health problems or allergies who can’t get adequate protection from vaccination. Britain authorized the use of Evusheld last week.

“When the antibodies in Evusheld attach to the spike protein, the virus cannot enter the cells to multiply and is unable to cause COVID-19 infection,” the EMA said. The agency said it had assessed data on the drug from more than 5,000 people and found Evusheld reduced the risk of infection by 77%, with protection estimated to last at least six months.

EMA said the drug's side effects were mostly mild, with some people reporting reactions at the injection point. The agency noted that research was done before the emergence of the hugely infectious omicron variant and said that it was evaluating data to determine if a different dose might be needed.

Although antibody drugs have been a standard treatment for treating COVID-19 infections for more than a year, AstraZeneca's is the first intended for long-term prevention against COVID-19 infection rather than as a short-term treatment.

People who could benefit from the antibody drug include cancer patients, organ transplant recipients and individuals taking immune-suppressing drugs for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

___

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Considerable avalanche risk on B.C. South Coast

Considerable avalanche risk on B.C. South Coast
The agency warning covers alpine, treeline and below-treeline sections on south coast mountains for Tuesday and Thursday. It says recent storm slabs could likely be triggered by human activity in the area.

Considerable avalanche risk on B.C. South Coast

Auditor makes recommendations for BC Housing

Auditor makes recommendations for BC Housing
In an audit of BC Housing's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, auditor general Michael Pickup says the Crown corporation did not have a process to ensure hotel and motel operators fulfilled their agreements for the space.

Auditor makes recommendations for BC Housing

Future of work shows promise but also inequality

Future of work shows promise but also inequality
The BC Federation of Labour, which represents more than half a million workers in B.C., recommends governments ensure there are no barriers to unionization in the changing labour market.    

Future of work shows promise but also inequality

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has signalled its solidarity with Ukraine in the form of supplies, weapons and sanctions since the early days of Russia's latest incursion into its territory, but has not deployed troops for combat.

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents

Vancouver must restore $5.7M to police budget

Vancouver must restore $5.7M to police budget
Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer says a provincial report from the director of police services has ordered the city to restore $5.7 million to the department’s 2021 budget.

Vancouver must restore $5.7M to police budget

Transit Police investigate after bus operator bear sprayed in Vancouver

Transit Police investigate after bus operator bear sprayed in Vancouver
The driver was immediately overcome by the effects of the spray as his ability to breathe became impaired. He was treated on scene by the Vancouver Fire Department and while he did not suffer any serious physical injuries, the incident continues to have an impact on his mental well being.    

Transit Police investigate after bus operator bear sprayed in Vancouver