The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that clinical trials for a drug to cure COVID-19 is already being carried out in Nigeria.
The was revealed by the WHO representative in Nigeria, Fiona Braka during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task force on COVId-19 on Friday.
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The Nigerian government had appealed to be part of a global solidarity drug trial being developed to combat the virus back in April.
According to the WHO representative, the trial for the drug has already commenced on a small scale in some states in Nigeria, while it will be extended to others in due time.
“This is a large multi-country effort that is going on globally. And we are picking up that trial in Nigeria; some states have started, some are yet to start,” she said.
“The whole idea is that the large pool of information across the countries will be systematically analysed at global level in addition to what is coming from other countries; carefully analysed and guidance provide to countries on which formulation is more effective.”
The WHO official however clarified that the drugs being tested are not new drugs as they have already been manufactured for use in curing other ailments.
“They are simply being repurposed for the intention of determining their effects on the COVID virus.
“We will continue to keep you updated on what the timeline will look like but we are still quite early in the process in the collection of data.” she clarified further.