KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said Wednesday the state has received several cases of an experimental drug that could help lessen the hospital stays of seriously ill COVID-19 patients.
Norman said this week, the state received 10 cases of Remdesivir, a drug with a emergency use approval by the Food and Drug Administration to help lesson the symptoms of patients batting COVID-19.
Each case can treat about five patients, though the age of the patient and the length of treatment can affect how many patients can be treated. A current course of treatment lasts five days, with adults requiring higher doses than pediatric patients.
Norman said the drug is being prioritized for patients on ventilators, those in intensive care units or patients with high oxygen demand.
The secretary said the cases of the drug were “sprinkled” across the state.
Norman said the 10 cases were the first of four shipments the state is slated to receive of the drug. He was hopeful the future shipments, including one as soon as later this week, would include more cases.
