WHO To Launch 2nd Protocol For The Solidarity Trial

The WHO said on Friday, that it will soon launch a second protocol for the Solidarity Trial.

"WHO would soon be launching a second protocol for the Solidarity Trial that will help establish incidence and prevalence of infection and the future behavior of the virus," Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia said in a press statement.

At least 3 South-East Asian member countries, including India, Indonesia, and Thailand, have already signed up for the multi-country trial. This trial will compare the safety and effectiveness of 4 different drugs or drug combinations against COVID-19. Dr. Poonam commended countries in the Region for participating in the WHO Solidarity Trial.

On Thursday, the WHO chief Dr. Tedros said, "The Solidarity trial, which is assessing potential treatments for COVID-19, has already brought in 74 countries that have either joined the trial or are in the process of joining," over 200 patients have been randomly assigned to one of the study arms.

"It is a historic undertaking that will dramatically reduce the time needed to generate robust evidence about what drugs are effective in treating COVID-19. The more countries join the faster we will have the results. I urge all countries to sign up," Dr. Khetrapal Singh said.