Type of Intervention: Executive Order, Regulation
Sectors Involved: Health, Research and Development
Intervention Categories: Drug based measures; Finance policy and fincancial aid; Financial aid to health services; Research and development
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: DHSC
Overview: The government has authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death. Dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been approved to treat all UK hospitalised COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen, including those on ventilators, from today.
Full details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-first-coronavirus-treatment-approved-for-nhs-use-by-government
Other links: 1 2
Type of Justification: Scientific Evidence (e.g. academic paper, report)
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – academic
Evidence/Justification: The drug has been proven to reduce the risk of death significantly in COVID-19 patients on ventilation by as much as 35% and patients on oxygen by 20%, reducing the total 28-day mortality rate by 17%.
Funded by the UK government, via the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Oxford University UK RECOVERY trial is the first clinical trial anywhere in the world to show a treatment provides significant impact in reducing patient mortality.