Metformin, sold as Glucophage, costs around 3p a pill, with some doctors in China's Wuhan, where the pandemic started, hailing it a 'wonder drug' after studies show it reduces the body's inflammatory response. Earlier this month, Wuhan experts revealed the death rate among virus patients taking the medication for diabetes was far lower than those not. Metformin is already being used by the NHS and is also being trialled as a treatment for heart disease and breast cancer. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: "It's a very powerful treatment but it's been slow to catch on. "Who's going to pay for big trials for regulatory approval when there is no profit at the end?

Source: Daily Mirror July 01, 2020 00:38 UTC