The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that Nigeria has expressed interest in participating in the global Coronavirus drug trials, and the process is set to commence soon.
Fiona Braka, the officer in charge of WHO Nigeria, revealed that over 100 countries have joined the solidarity clinical trial, with more than 1,200 patients being randomized from the first five countries to assess the safety and efficacy of drug combinations.
During a press conference on Friday, May 1, Braka also shared that 89 vaccines are being developed globally, including seven in clinical evaluation, and several therapeutics are in clinical trials.
She stated that “Nigeria has also expressed interest to be part of this solidarity trial and efforts are underway to start the process in Nigeria too.”
Additionally, WHO recently launched the access to COVID-19 tools ACT accelerator, a global collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of equitable access to new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Braka emphasized WHO’s commitment to ensuring the equitable sharing of medicines and vaccines with all countries and people.
The international health organization had initiated trials for drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine phosphate, and remdesivir in April as part of its plan to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.