Ibuprofen and Covid-19: Drugmaker Sanofi defends Molecule, WHO updates its stand

New Delhi: Responding to the World Health Organisation statement earlier that recommended avoidance of Ibuprofen due to its suspected worserning of COVID-19 reported by some french officials , French Pharma major Sanofi on Friday said there is currently no scientific evidence establishing a link between ibuprofen and worsening of COVID-19.

Sanofi is one of the largest makers of Ibuprofen, with its popular brand Combiflam ( paracetomol and ibuprofen combination) being widely used in India.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the World Health Organisation recommended that people suffering from Covid-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen the effects of the virus. The minister, Oliver Veran, tweeted on Saturday 14 March that people with suspected COVID-19 should avoid anti-inflammatory drugs. "Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, cortisone . . .) could be an aggravating factor for the infection. If you have a fever, take paracetamol," he stated.

Read Also: No Ibuprofen For COVID-19 Patients Says WHO

Countering it, Sanofi said the WHO has stated they are not aware of published clinical or population-based data on ibuprofen and the worsening of COVID-19 and based on currently available information, do not recommend against the use of ibuprofen.

"At Sanofi, our priority is the safety of our consumers, patients, employees, their families and the communities we are engaged with and ensuring the continuous supply of safe and efficacious products," Sanofi said in a statement.

As very recently stated by several health authorities, including European Medicines Agency (EMA), there is currently no scientific evidence establishing a link between ibuprofen and worsening of COVID-19, it added.

In line with EU national treatment guidelines, healthcare professionals can continue prescribing (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for patient use, as per locally approved product information, it said.

The company is monitoring the situation closely and will review any new information that becomes available on this issue in the context of the pandemic, it added.

Read also: Regeneron, Sanofi begin testing use of Arthritis Drug Kevzara to treat COVID-19

Meanwhile, WHO through a tweet also issued its updated stand on the matter yesterday