Boris Johnson hails ‘biggest breakthrough yet’ in UK’s coronavirus fight as NHS approves £5 steroid that could ‘save thousands of lives’ after trial finds it ‘reduces risk of dying by up to 35%’ in ventilated patients
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- Dexamethasone becomes the first drug proven to increase the survival rate for hospitalised Covid-19 patients
- The steroid is given either via an injection or as a tablet and costs only £5 per patient
- Study leader Professor Peter Horby, from Oxford, said a life could be saved with every eight patients
- Scientists hailed finding as ‘biggest breakthrough in search for Covid therapy’ after mixed results from others
Prime Minister Boris Johnson today hailed the ‘biggest breakthrough yet’ in the UK’s coronavirus fight as officials announced they have found a drug that could save up to a third of critically-ill Covid-19 patients.
Dexamethasone, a cheap steroid that has been around for decades, has become the first medicine proven to reduce the death rate among hospitalised patients.
A top scientist who led the trial of the drug, Professor Peter Horby, said at today’s Downing Street briefing that treating eight people with the drug could save one life and cost just £40.
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This article was originally viewed on MailOnline.
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