Actemra approved for Covid?

[winfong]

Just heard about this:

Genentech’s Actemra Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for the Treatment of COVID-19 In Hospitalized Adults and Children

businesswire.com/news/home/...

Any ideas on how this might affect those of us who are already taking Actemra and either vaccinated or unvaccinated?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

In UK, Actemra was authorised for use in April this year, not sure it’s had any negative impact on GCA patients per se.

But as the drug is normally only authorised for a limited number if GCA patients for a year* over here, unlike the US , it’s a bit difficult to know…but don’t think it’s use for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients (for whom there seems to be no restriction) has been affected.

*presently extended due to virus

[piglette]

I assume the only effect is that Genentech will boost up the cash in their coffers.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It has actually been used for at least a year for ICU patients and has been licensed for RA for several years where it is used a lot more than for GCA. As piglette says - Genentech are probably laughing all the way to the bank!

It will probably encourage more trials using biosimilars - biologic drugs that work on IL-6, there are severa in the pipeline.

[Rugger]

In the early days of the pandemic, they sent a substantial amount to China.

[kulina]

This a recent US article and they are predicting worldwide shortages. I really hope this article is wrong. wcvb.com/article/shortage-o...