By ELIZABETH MERAB More by this AuthorThe Aga Khan University Hospital, in partnership with Roche, has launched a study to determine whether the pharmaceutical giant’s rheumatoid arthritis drug can be used to treat Covid-19 patients. Clinical trials are experiments to determine the efficacy of a drug in managing a patient’s condition. The 11 patients are part of a global trial dubbed Empacta (Evaluating Minority Patients with Actemra) study, a Phase III trial seeking to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug in Covid-19 patients hospitalised with pneumonia. In an Italian study, it did not help patients with early-stage Covid-19 pneumonia, the latest instance in which an anti-inflammatory drug failed a coronavirus trial. “Disparities and lack of diversity in medical research hold the global community back, and Roche Kenya is proud to help close this gap.

Source: Daily Nation July 21, 2020 16:52 UTC