Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are used against malaria, lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis but could be effective against COVID-19. In several European countries this medicine is recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 for severe and moderately severe patients and is included in the list of highly demanded medicines in many countries, including the Baltic countries (in relation to COVID-19).
“A donation of hydroxychloroquine medicine, that is a part of therapeutic regimens of #COVID19, will be available to Lithuanian doctors soon. This medicine is currently the subject of intensive research to obtain confirmation of previous individual observations that hope for efficacy in the treatment of infection of #COVID19 (hydroxychloroquine),” says Agita Birnbauma, General Manager of Teva Baltics.
“Immediately upon learning of the potential benefit of hyroxychloroquine, Teva began to assess supply and to urgently acquire additional ingredients to make more product while arranging for all of what we had to be distributed immediately. I'm glad we can help,” adds Agita Birnbauma.
As the #COVID19 situation evolves globally, Teva strives to provide an uninterrupted supply of medicines for the millions of patients around the world. Teva is donating millions of tablets of potential COVID-19 treatment through wholesalers to hospitals in many countries. In U.S. 6 Million tablets have been donated by March 31 and more than 10 Million will be donated within a month to meet the urgent demand for the medicine as an investigational target to treat COVID-19.
The medication is approved by European Medicines Agency (EMA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of malaria, lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The tablets are currently under investigation to determine their efficacy against the coronavirus.
Teva is also actively looking across its expansive range of products to determine if the company can help to provide any other products that may be relevant in addressing acute and substantial need during the COVID-19 crisis.
ABOUT TEVA
“Teva is committed to improving the lives of patients by delivering quality medicines. In the Baltics, Teva operates with both commercial and production site under one legal entity and we are proud not only for being the biggest provider of generics – every 10th patient in the Baltics is treated by prescription medicines produced by Teva – but also for manufacturing and exporting products to over 50 countries, including EU, USA and Japan,” Agita Birnbauma, General Manager Teva Baltics
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve people’s lives for more than a century. Teva is a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 3,500 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com.