Investigational treatments for COVID-19

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, more commonly referred to as COVID-19,has rapidly developed into a worldwide pandemic with a significant health burden. At the time ofpublication (23 June 2020) there are no approved pharmacological treatments or preventativetherapeutic strategies in place to combat the infection. However, globally, hundreds of clinical studiesthat aim to discover effective COVID-19 treatments are ongoing. This article summarises the rationalebehind several of these interventional trials, including evidence from in vitro studies, and early resultsto provide an insight into the global response. As patients are being enrolled in clinical trials across theUK, some of the safety and practical considerations for the investigational medicines that pharmacistsare most likely to encounter in practice are discussed as part of this review. Copyright © 2020 Pharmaceutical Press. All right reserved.