Patients with vulnerable covid will receive an antibody drug from the NHS starting today in order to fight the virus.
GlaxoSmithKline’s British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has shown that Xevudy can reduce the likelihood of death and hospitalisation from old strains by 79% in clinical trials.
GSK claims that it offers strong protection against Omicron variant, which is making other anti-immun therapies less effective.
Britain ordered 100,000 doses, but it is not clear if this will be enough in light of the Omicron wave.
Today, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson could not confirm if they will buy additional if necessary.
The treatment can be used by around 1.3 million of the UK’s most vulnerable patients, which includes organ transplant recipients as well as cancer patients.
Monoclonal antibodies are administered intravenously for 30 minutes. They must be given within 5 days after an infection has begun.
It works by binding to the virus spike protein — which it uses to invade cells — to slow down an infection.
However, scientists believe it can still fight Omicron as it binds the spike to an area that hasn’t mutated.
NHS England’s Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis said that the new drugs had an important role.
“If your test is positive, then we will notify you. If you qualify, these treatments will also be available to you.
After monoclonal anti-body therapy Ronapreve, it is now the second approved treatment for the NHS. The treatment is being used in NHS hospitals already.
Xevudy will become available to patients on the NHS as a monoclonal antibodies starting today. Chiefs of health said that it will be accessible to cancer patients and organ transplant recipients who are at high risk.
Monoclonal antibody are made in laboratories. They work by stimulating an immune response to the virus in those whose bodies cannot handle it.
It binds to the Covid spike protein — which it uses to invade cells — stopping the virus from sparking a serious infection.
According to the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, they bought a significant number of pills today.
However, the Department of Health has not yet indicated whether plans are in place to purchase additional doses.
NHS England will be in touch with eligible patients within the next few weeks to tell them about the treatment.
Once they begin to experience symptoms, they will be sent a PCR testing kit.
They will be asked to take Xevudy if the results are positive.
According to NHS, it would be the first line of defense against the disease.
At the beginning of the month, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority approved the treatment.
It is administered over 30 minutes through an intravenous drip and works by binding to the Covid spike protein — which it uses to invade cells — and preventing it from multiplying in the body.
Preliminary tests found Ronapreve — already in use in the UK — was not as good at stopping infections with Omicron compared to other strains.
Another monoclonal antibody, manufactured by Eli Lilly in the USA, was also tested separately. It proved to be less effective than this variant.
Vaccines represent a nation’s first line defense against the disease.
These drugs can be used as a second line defense in the event that jabs don’t trigger immune response in all patients or the virus is able to overcome jab-induced antibody.
Ronapreve can be obtained by patients who are members of the NHS.
But the treatment is expensive costing around £2,000 per dose. Donald Trump received it when he was suffering with Covid.