STEVE SWEENEYSUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020



Cuban drug could save thousands of lives in coronavirus pandemic


Students, some wearing protective masks as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, hold up their right hands as they recite the national anthem, in Havana

×

You can read 7 more articles this month
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here


CUBAN medicine could treat thousands of coronavirus patients as production of a “flagship” drug known to combat the disease is set to increase significantly, pharmaceutical bosses said at a press conference on Friday.

President of the BioCubaFarma group Eduardo Martinez explained that the socialist island has developed 22 drugs that are set to be used to contain the outbreak.

So far it is known that one of the drugs manufactured by Cuba, Interferon alfa-2b, has managed to effectively cure more than 1,500 patients from the coronavirus and is one of 30 drugs chosen by the Chinese National Health Commission to combat respiratory disease.

It was first developed in 1986 by a team of researchers from the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and introduced into the Cuban health system.

Mr Martinez described Interferon alfa-2b as “the flagship product of the set of Cuban medicines” with the drug developed in both Cuba and China in a joint venture as part of an agreement between the socialist countries.

He said the drug could also be exported to other countries to help contain the spread of the virus and treat those that are showing symptoms.

CIGB director Eulogio Pimentel said that had enough supplies that “would be equivalent to treating practically all the infected cases that occurred in China” where more than 80,000 people have been infected.

“We think that we are capable of satisfying not only the possible demand in Cuba but also the requests that we are getting from other countries, and that are increasing day by day,” he added.

Cuba has sent a team of doctors and supplies of Interferon alfa-2b to Italy where it is working alongside Chinese experts to help combat and contain the coronavirus outbreak.

OTHERS LIKEDTUESDAY 17TH MAR 2020
CWU USE STRIKE BALLOT VICTORY TO OFFER POSTAL WORKERS TO BECOME ‘FOURTH EMERGENCY SERVICE’
TUESDAY 17TH MAR 2020
DOMINIC RAAB THANKS CUBA FOR ALLOWING CORONAVIRUS-STRICKEN CRUISE SHIP TO DOCK IN HAVANA
TUESDAY 17TH MAR 2020
THE GREAT UNRAVELLING: CORONAVIRUS - A VERY BRITISH CULL
FRIDAY 06TH MAR 2020
A HUNDRED YEARS OF PANDEMICS
MONDAY 16TH MAR 2020
VIRGIN ASK STAFF TO TAKE EIGHT WEEKS' UNPAID LEAVE

BUY SHARES


You can’t buy a revolution, but you can help the only daily paper in Britain that’s fighting for one by become a member of the People’s Printing Press Society.

The Morning Star is a readers’ co-operative, which means you can become an owner of the paper too by buying shares in the society.


Shares are £1 each — though unlike capitalist firms, each shareholder has an equal say. Money from shares contributes directly to keep our paper thriving.

Some union branches have taken out shares of over £500 and individuals over £100.
BUY HERE »



Unions demand protection for parents and kids as schools closed off



EDITORIAL | WEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Despite the C-19 crisis, the Tories will not throw aside the interests of big business and banks

BRITAIN | WEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Protect renters from ‘coronavirus evictions,’ Labour demands

WORLD | WEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
IMF refuses Venezuela emergency coronavirus loan over refusal to back Maduro as President


Death at the Greek border
FEATURES Syrian refugees should not be used as political pawns in a costly and dirty political game in which they have no interest or choice, says RAMZY BAROUD


LATEST STORIESWEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Universal credit claimants need extra assistance amid Covid-19WEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Uber and Deliveroo accused of undermining sick pay promisesWEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Family of Iranian prisoner trapped in Covid-19-riddled jail protest outside No10WEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Witness tells court she didn't see complainant on the night she accused Salmond of raping herWEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Tory MP hits out at Richard BransonWEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
Durham Miners’ gala cancelledWEDNESDAY 18TH MAR 2020
A college in Scotland pushing redundancies amid coronavirus pandemic


Others liked
Cuban drug could save thousands of lives in coronavirus pandemic

CWU use strike ballot victory to offer postal workers to become ‘fourth emergency service’

Dominic Raab thanks Cuba for allowing coronavirus-stricken cruise ship to dock in Havana

The great unravelling: coronavirus - a very British cull



OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.BECOME A SUPPORTER

FIGHTING FUND
YOU'VE RAISED:£ 6,761
WE NEED:£ 11,239
21 DAYS REMAININGDONATE TODAY





BRITAIN
WORLD
FEATURES
EDITORIAL
CULTURE
SPORT
LETTERS

BACK TO TOP


OWNED BY OUR READERSWe're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society. BECOME A SUPPORTER


PRIVACY POLICY
RETURNS POLICY
TERMS OF USE




We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.No, give me more info
OK, I agree