Follow worldwide studies and research on medicines for COVID-19

The Danish Medicines Agency has formed a COVID-19 group that will continuously update a public list of worldwide studies and research on medicines for COVID-19.

Medicines and COVID-19 currently receive a lot of public attention. Right now, hundreds of studies and research projects are being conducted around the world, and the press and social media regularly bring reports of medicines that may potentially be used for the disease. These reports come from many different sources and are based on the results of studies and trials of varying standard conducted all over the world.

The Danish Medicines Agency is closely following worldwide studies and research on medicines for COVID-19. The agency has just formed a COVID-19 group tasked with updating lists of its preliminary assessments of studies of respectively vaccines and medicines in COVID-19 treatment, covering only those that are worth noting because they are organised in such a way that they could give us important knowledge about medicines that could potentially be used to fight COVID-19.

See the list of studies and research on vaccines for COVID-19.
See the list of studies and research on medicines for COVID-19.

As fast as possible without jeopardising patient safety

It makes a difference if it is a study based on 20-30 trial subjects where the results may be highly uncertain or if it is research enrolling several thousands of subjects. It takes time to collect sufficient knowledge, and this is difficult when there is no time.

 “Speed is of the essence, and researchers around the world have really pressed down the accelerator. But we must avoid making hasty conclusions that could lead us blindly into decisions because we might end up with even more problems than we have today. It could have direct and indirect consequences. As far as chloroquine is concerned, we don’t know yet if it’s beneficial or harmful to COVID-19 patients. On top of that, claims of it being a wonder drug could lead to hoarding. And this could affect arthritis patients who take the medicine for whom we know it to work”, said Nikolai Brun medical director in the Danish Medicines Agency.

Check the source: Is it a large or small study? How strong is the evidence?

He therefore advises us to be cautious if we hear rumours in the public about medicines for coronavirus.

“Please join the debate and help us avoid the spreading of further rumours. It is most needed. And be careful not to share stories uncritically on social media or to anyone you know without checking first how large the reported study is and how robust the evidence is”, continues Nikolai Brun.

Facts about the Danish Medicines Agency’s COVID-19 group

The Danish Medicines Agency’s COVID-19 group goes through news from all over the world from scientific journals, social media, daily press, specialist press and statements made by the medicines agencies in Europe and the USA.
Besides employees from the Danish Medicines Agency, the group has a representative from the Capital Region of Denmark.

Also read: 20 March: Information to doctors on the potential prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 (in Danish only).