Drugs? Old Drugs, New Drugs, and a Minute of Leadership

The FDA Commissioner, Dr, Stephen Kahn, said today that we are going to look at several drugs that are already approved for use in the US and test them in COVID-19.

• Chloroquin or hydroxychloroquin, a drug that’s been in use since the 1940s for malaria and, more recently, some arthritis.

• Remdesavir, a drug similar to some HIV drugs that was developed for Ebolavirus.

Dr. Kahn provided a glimmer of leadership today, even though the President grandstanded during Dr. Kahn’s introduction. But, I don’t want to get political.

Let’s just say the drug pipeline could move fast—if leadership rules the day.

Dr. Kahn explains the emerging drug pipeline as the president (left) and Dr. Deborah Birx (right) look on.