Remdesivir and Convalescent Plasma Therapy for Treatment of COVID-19 Infection in Nepal : A Registry Study

The pandemic COVID-19 does not have an established treatment. Although small studies have demonstrated some successes of few antiviral and immunomodulatory agents, either their data so far are not very encouraging (e.g. Hydroxychloroquine and Antiretroviral Protease Inhibitors) or clinical trials of newly introduced drugs are currently in progress and not available in Nepal. Review of literature suggests the transfusion of convalescent plasma has been used successfully in small observational and retrospective studies. A recent metanalysis showed that convalescent plasma reduced mortality by 57% compared to matched-patients receiving standard treatments. While multiple antiviral drugs are undergoing clinical trials and there is no established antiviral agents against COVID-19, the infectious diseases guidelines suggest use of Remdesivir among hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 patients (Conditional recommendation, moderate certainty of evidence). Clinical study done by NIH which included 1059 patients indicated that those who received Remdesivir had a median recovery time of 11 days as compared with 15 days in those who received placebo. Remdesivir has received emergency use authorization for COVID-19 by US FDA, European Commission, and Indian Health Service. Remdesivir appears to demonstrate the most benefit in those with severe COVID-19 on supplemental oxygen. The NIH Panel recommends using Remdesivir for 5 days or until hospital discharge, whichever comes first. The interim analysis of WHO's SOLIDARITY trial, however, failed to show mortality benefit with Remdesivir.The objective of initial clinical protocol (Convalescent Plasma study) was to provide a coordinated approach for collection and preparation, distribution and guidance for safe and effective administration of convalescent plasma with antibodies against SAR CoV-2 for treatment of patients with COVID-19 infection who are most likely to benefit from this investigational treatment. On August 9th, 2020, the Government of Nepal gave permission to use Remdesivir in COVID-19 patients of Nepal only as a study drug when the original protocol was been amended to add a second study arm for use of Remdesivir for treatment of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. The enrollment goal of these two protocols have been reached and collection of study data will be completed by the end of October 2020. On October 18th, the GoN MoHP also announced and directed to provide access for Remdesivir directly through the pharmacies. Therefore, this registry study has been designed to replace the compassionate use study of Remdesivir and Convalescent plasma.