Georgia in talks with US Gilead to receive experimental, antiviral drug used against COVID-19

Remdesivir, a medicine created for use in treating Ebola, has also been used in the treatment against COVID-19. 

Agenda.ge, 19 Mar 2020 - 16:17, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgia is negotiating with large US biopharmaceutical company Gilead to receive Remdesivir – an experimental medicine that has been used since 2015 against Ebola, which has also been used by Chinese doctors against COVID-19 in some cases. 

Remdesivir, which was created by Gilead, has been very actively used against COVID-19 in China, together with other anti-virus medicines, as well as anti-HIV drugs. The Georgian government has requested Gilead provide the medicine and I believe that the request will be granted and we will have the medicine in reserve stock”, head of the Georgian National Disease Control Centre Amiran Gamkrelidze stated earlier today. 

Gilead has been providing Georgia with anti-Hepatitis C medicines since 2015. 

Gamkrelidze also said that most commercial shops, except pharmacies and markets, should be temporarily closed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 virus.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has instructed all ministries to provide plans regarding further restrictions by the end of the day.