The World Health Organisation will conduct a study to find effective treatments for COVID-19 in over 100 countries, including Albania.
The tests will take place on consenting adult patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are hospitalised. These patients will receive medications that are being studied for their impact on the virus and the other conditions it can cause.
The Clinical Study of Solidarity will test medications including chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and ritonavir, interferon beta and remdesivir. The four treatment options will be compared to assess their effectiveness against the virus with the aim of rapidly discovering whether any slow the progression of the disease or improve survival.
The same testing protocols will be applied in Albania as in other countries and the medical team overseeing each case will take into account the patient’s condition, potential contraindications and concomitant conditions. Other medications may be added to the study, depending on research data.
The study will be monitored by the Committee on Global on Global Data and Security Monitoring which comprises a group of independent experts.
The WHO has advised against physicians recommending or administering these unproven treatments or patients self-medicating until sufficient evidence has been generated by the study.
WHO Albania has congratulated the participation of Albania in the study which also includes countries such as Norway, Canada, France, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland.
The Minister of Health and Care Services in Norway, Bent Hoie said:
“The quest for knowledge about the coronavirus is a global effort. The Solidarity Trial is an important part of the puzzle. I am proud that Norway will contribute both by having the first patient included in the study. I would like to commend the WHO for global leadership and its initiative in setting up the Solidarity Trial.”
Rumours have been rife on social media that Albania has been signed up to test a vaccine and the WHO is experimenting on the Albanian people. This is not the case and Albania will be partaking in the study for therapeutic treatments of the virus, along with more than 100 other countries.
