Tocilizumab may not prevent mortality in Covid-19 patients

A recent study suggests that the drug tocilizumab may not prevent mortality in Covid-19 patients. It is the second such study on this drug.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

Tocilizumab is the second drug, after hydroxychloroquine, that had quickly earned global popularity as a Covid-19 treatment before its efficacy came under question in the wake of poor trial outcomes.

Tocilizumab is an immunosuppressant, commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis, and marketed as Actemra by Swiss pharma company Roche.

It was repurposed in January to fight severe lung infection in Covid-19 patients.