Repurposed Covid-19 drugs could come cheap

Several existing medicines are being explored as possible treatments for Covid-19. And, if they prove effective, researchers have found that they can be manufactured quite economically — and profitably.

For instance, Gilead’s remdesivir could be made for just 93 for a day’s supply, STAT’s Ed Silverman writes. A Roche drug called Esbriet, which is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, could be made for just $1.09 for a day’s supply. And, of course, the decades-old drug hydroxychloroquine — again, if it proves to be an effective treatment — could be incredibly inexpensive; it would cost just 8 cents a day.

“The beauty of the repurposing option is that you can take drugs off the shelf and put them straight to work,” the study’s co-author told STAT. “We already have the means for manufacturing for many people. What we need to do is massively increase supplies from the factories. It’s a big effort, but if it is done, there’s no reason we couldn’t gain access.”