The Danish National Board of Health issued a new recommendation on Monday regarding the Corona drug Lagevrio, which Denmark imported and authorized for use in 2021. The board stated in a press release that the drug should be discontinued, not due to safety issues, but because of its limited effectiveness.
Using the drug in Denmark without the approval of the European Medicines Agency
This announcement comes on the basis of the final assessment of Lagevrio by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which decided that approval of the drug should not be recommended.
The drug in question had already been used in Denmark despite not being approved, as the Danish Medicines Agency had granted a “general authorization for distribution.” Chief Physician and Head of Department Kirstine Moll Harboe of the National Board of Health stated in the announcement: “We were awaiting the final assessment from the European pharmaceutical authorities, which we naturally follow. Now the EMA has rejected the drug, and therefore we will no longer recommend the use of Lagevrio in Denmark. We note that the disapproval is not due to safety issues, but rather a lack of documentation regarding its efficacy,” according to TV2.
Criticism from doctors
The Danish government purchased the Corona drug pills in November 2021 based on the recommendation of the Danish Health Authority. This was despite criticism from specialists about the drug's effectiveness. One of the critics was Jan Gerstoft, a professor of infectious medicine at Rigshospitalet, who said that the initial research results with the drug were completely unclear. Moreover, they branched out in so many directions that not much could be concluded from them. However, the Danish Health Authority defended the decision, saying that the Danish Medicines Agency had assessed that the treatment was effective against the Omicron variant.
In addition, the agency heard that the treatment was one of several tools that could be used in relation to the increasing infection.
Continuing to administer another type of coronavirus medication
While the use of Lagevrio is being discontinued, Paxlovid continues to be given to vulnerable groups at risk of developing a severe stage of COVID-19.
During December/January 2021, Lagevrio was prescribed to a total of 390 people in Denmark.
In the 2022 budget law, 400 million Danish kroner were allocated for the purchase of Lagevrio and Paxlovid pills.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Danish Health Authority wrote that Paxlovid will continue to be offered to patients who are particularly at risk of contracting the coronavirus, and that the target groups should also be expanded.
