Breakthrough covid drug approved for use in Jersey

Wednesday 17 June 2020

A cheap and readily available steroid drug believed to cut death rates by a third among the most seriously ill covid-19 patients has been approved for use in Jersey.

Health officials are now drawing up guidelines for the safe use of the anti-inflammatory Dexamethasone, which will be made available to virus patients receiving ventilation support in Jersey's General Hospital.

It comes after Oxford University researchers found that deaths among patients on ventilators dropped by 35%.

For those on oxygen support, mortality rates dropped 20%.

Dexamethasone is already available in Jersey, as it is used for other conditions including arthritis, asthma and some skin conditions.

Pictured: The drug will be used on hospital patients in Jersey requiring a ventilator.

The government said it would be able to secure further supplies via the NHS supply chain.

While Deputy Medical Director Dr Paul Hughes said that the results from the RECOVERY study of UK patients were "encouraging", he warned that the research was yet to be peer-reviewed.

"Whilst we will not delay the use of this drug in patients who may benefit, we must be vigilant for side effects that may emerge as more patients are treated," he said.

Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, added that he was “very pleased to learn of this significant development in the treatment of the coronavirus".

"Our close links with the NHS mean that learning will be shared as we begin to treat those patients needing Dexamethasone. 

“It is important to note that it is only for patients requiring ventilation and who are already being treated at the General Hospital. Whilst we only have one patient with COVID-19 in the hospital, it is nonetheless an important breakthrough and will provide islanders with further reassurance that they will receive the very best care and attention from our dedicated nurses and doctors.”